FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The Christian music
industry claimed the king of rock ‘n’ roll as one of its own
yesterday, inducting Elvis Presley into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Presley, who died in 1977, was inducted by one-time members of three
gospel quartets who were part of his show over the years: Joe Moscheo
from The Imperials, Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires and Ed Enoch of
J.D. Sumner & The Stamps. Video was shown of Presley singing
gospel standards like How Great Thou Art and Peace in the Valley.
The other inductees were Albertina Walker, Kurt Kaiser, Keith Green,
Larry Norman, Doris Akers, Wendy Bagwell & the Sunliters and The
Rambos.
Presley idolized Sumner as a boy, and his first musical ambition was
to be a member of a " hand-clapping, fast-moving " gospel
quartet like The Stamps, Stoker said.
Instead, Presley went to Sun Records in Memphis and became an icon of
rock ‘n’ roll. But he continued to be a gospel music fan, and
usually included it in his shows.
" If he was alive and here getting this honor, I would anticipate
doing some gospel singing after the show that would last until
Thursday or Friday, " Enoch said.
The Oak Ridge Boys, country stars who got their start as a gospel
quartet, were the hosts of Tuesday night’s ceremony, which featured
performances by Gary Chapman and Phil Keaggy with Rebecca St. James.
" We have an obligation to let the young people know from whence
they came, " said Frank Breeden, president of the Gospel Music
Association. " It’s a story that we need to tell. "
Norman couldn’t attend the induction because of recent quadruple
bypass heart surgery. He and Green — who died in 1982 — were
influential singer-songwriters at the beginning of contemporary
Christian music in the 1960s and ’70s.
Norman’s relationship with the gospel music industry has sometimes
been strained over the years but, his son said, was improving.
" He’s been excited about it for months, " Michael Norman
said of his father’s induction. " He wanted me to tell people
he’s thankful for the doors the GMA helped open for his career.
"
Kaiser is a songwriter (Pass It On), pianist and record company
executive. The Rambos are a family trio (husband and wife Buck and
Dottie, with daughter Reba) who’ve recorded more than 60 albums.
Walker founded the Caravans, and has been a successful solo artist
since 1975. Akers founded the Sky Pilot Choir and wrote songs,
including Sweet, Sweet Spirit and Sweet Jesus.
The Hall of Fame’s inductees were selected by about 300 members of
the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame electorate. The GMA was founded in
1964 to promote gospel music. It has about 5,000 members.
Tue, Nov 27 05:02 PM
Ed Enoch, left, Gordon Stoker, second left, and Joe Moscheo, right,
are congratulated by Elvis Presley Foundation CEO Jack Soden, second
from from right, during a reception before the gospel Music Hall of
Fame Inductions in Franklin, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2001. Elvis
Presley is one of the 2001 inductees. Presley, who died in 1977, is
being represented by three performers who backed him as part of gospel
quartets: Moscheo from The Imperials, Stoker from The Jordanaires, and
Enoch from J.D. Sumner & The Stamps. Photo by Neil Brake (AP)
"Gospel music was a major part of Elvis
Presley's life, both personally and professionally. Some of his finest
work is embodied in his gospel recordings - work that brought him and
generations of his fans - myself included - a great amount of joy,
comfort and inspiration. He felt a calling to reach out to others in
this way, using his fame in other fields to bring gospel music to new
audiences. In doing so, he made a profound contribution to the
industry, which you are recognizing so beautifully and appropriately
tonight.
I know how much his being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
would mean to him and I wish he could be there to enjoy receiving this
wonderful honor. I join all our family and friends and all my father's
loyal fans in thanking you. I'm deeply proud of my father and I'm so
proud to see his work in gospel music receive this great recognition.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Lisa Marie Presley"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - It was no secret that the king of rock
'n' roll preferred gospel music.
"It more or less puts your mind at ease," Elvis Presley once
said of the music he first heard as a boy attending the Assembly of
God Church. "It does mine."
On Tuesday, Presley will be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of
Fame during a ceremony at The People's Church in Franklin, south of
Nashville.
Already a member of the halls of fame for rock 'n' roll and country
music, the gospel addition will give Presley the distinction of being
the only entertainer inducted into all three.
Presley won only three Grammys in his career, all for his gospel work.
"How Great Thou Art" won Best Sacred Performance in 1967;
"He Touched Me" got Best Inspirational Performance in 1972;
and a live version of "How Great Thou Art" won Best
Inspirational Performance in 1974.
He died in August 1977 at age 42.
Joining Presley in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday will be
Kurt Kaiser, Keith Green, Larry Norman, Doris Akers, Albertina Walker,
Wendy Bagwell & the Sunliters and The Rambos.
