Spirit of Memphis Quartet

Biography

The Spirit of Memphis Quartet originated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1928 when four local singers—Arthur Wright, Luther McGill, James Peoples, and James Darling—formed a gospel group initially called the T&S Singers (or TM&S Quartet, named after their churches: Tree of Life, Mount Olive, and St. Matthew's Baptist). They performed in the sedate 'jubilee' style of spirituals popularized by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. In 1930, inspired by Charles Lindbergh's plane 'The Spirit of St. Louis,' they renamed themselves the Spirit of Memphis Quartet, marking the start of their rise as one of the most influential gospel groups.

The group evolved in the late 1930s and 1940s, influenced by professional quartets like the Soul Stirrers and Famous Blue Jay Singers. Key additions included lead singer Jethro Bledsoe and tenor Robert Reed in 1934, bass Earl Malone in 1939, and later Silas Steele, Willmer 'Little Axe' Broadnax, and Robert Crenshaw around 1948-1949. They turned professional in 1947, signed with King Records in 1949, and recorded hits like 'He Never Left Me Alone' and 'The Day Is Passed And Gone.' By 1950, they were among the highest-paid quartets, earning $200 weekly, performing on WDIA radio, and adopting vibrant suits, choreography, and Memphis compositions by W. Herbert Brewster and Lucie E. Campbell amid post-WWII and Cold War eras.

As quartet popularity waned in the mid-1950s, members like Steele, Broadnax, and Joe Hinton (known for his falsetto) cycled through, with later additions including Fred Howard (1958), Brown Berry (1964), and Melvin Mosley (1978). Recognized as a 'church-wrecking' force, they influenced hard gospel quartets and soul singers, continuing to perform for over nine decades and earning induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Fun Facts

• The group's name was inspired by Charles Lindbergh's 1927 transatlantic flight in 'The Spirit of St. Louis,' adapted to 'Spirit of Memphis.'
• By 1950, they commanded $200 per week, one of the highest-paid gospel quartets, and performed live on WDIA radio sponsored by Gold Medal Flour.
• Robert Crenshaw, a brief tenor, later achieved greater fame with the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.
• Manager Theo 'Bless My Bones' Wade left in 1947 to host the popular WDIA gospel show 'Hallelujah Jubilee.'

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Fisk Jubilee Singers - Stylistic influence on early 'jubilee' harmonizing (Jubilee songs/spirituals) [Late 1800s-1930s]
• Soul Stirrers - Professional gospel group influencing Memphis style (Live performances in Memphis) [Late 1930s]
• Famous Blue Jay Singers - Influence paving way for 'hard' quartets; Silas Steele's prior group (Recordings and appearances) [1930s-1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Silas Steele - Lead singer, gospel legend from Famous Blue Jay Singers (King Records sessions (e.g., 'He Never Left Me Alone')) [1948-1950s]
• Willmer 'Little Axe' Broadnax - Alternating lead singer from Southern Gospel Singers (King Records sessions (e.g., 'The Day Is Passed And Gone')) [1948-1950s]
• Jethro Bledsoe - Lead singer (Early recordings and performances) [1934-1978]
• James Darling - Original member, booking manager who facilitated national travel (Out-of-town engagements) [1928-1940s]
• Theo 'Bless My Bones' Wade - Booking manager and emcee until becoming WDIA DJ (WDIA radio broadcasts) [1940s-1947]

Artists Influenced

• Robert Crenshaw - Tenor who joined briefly before greater fame (Later with Five Blind Boys of Alabama and Swan Silvertones) [1948 onward]
• Hard gospel quartets and soul singers - Paved way through Silas Steele's style and group's energy (General influence on 1950s-1960s quartets) [1940s-1960s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia