On March 19 Hachette Books publishes Spirit of the Century, the Blind Boys of Alabama history. The group hit the road during the World War Two years as the Happy Land Jubilee Singers. Six Grammys, several trips around the globe, a bunch of White House visits, and a beef with Ben Harper later, they continue. Two members died and another retired just while we worked on the book. They’ve survived the accidental shooting death of an early lead singer, the retirement and death of leader Clarence Fountain, a run-in with a moody Lou Reed, a few close calls involving light pay outs or angry husbands along the gospel highway, and—toughest of all—the disgusting churn that raises artists to prominence in our culture only to flush them away just as suddenly.
The story turned out to be a way bigger blast than I had expected going in. It’s also the first book I’ve been invovled with that Whoopi Goldberg blurbed, to wit: “This is a story you WANT to know. If you know anything about The Blind Boys of Alabama—spirit, heart, and determination go into this fabulous blend of voices and music. And you will understand the struggle, not just theirs but all of ours.”
The Blind Boys converted this Southern California-raised heathen into a brimstone and fire worshipper of quartet gospel. They introduced me not only to their own incredible catalog of recordings, but also the works of the Blind Boys of Mississippi, the Spirit of Memphis, the Sensational Nightingales, and Slim & the Supreme Angels among numerous other great quartets. My love for this music and its story runs as deep as any I’ve heard and been a part of. Thankfully, there are still some remarkable people around to share the history of the gospel highway. Here are a few photos from my research that you won’t see in the book.
Through the memories of these remarkable people and others, the story came together. To see how we did, get you one.
If you enjoyed my book on the chitlin’ circuit, I think you’ll see some similar deep roots on the gospel highway, and the Blind Boys participated in every aspect of that American music institution. They sang in mass quartet battles in Birmingham during the 1940s, they recorded for the independent Specialty Records alongside Sam Cooke and Little Richard during the 1950s, and toured among a network of AM radio deejays and enterprising—though not always spiritual—concert promoters until their crossover in the 1980s. I absolutely love the Blind Boys and I hope that you will too. Here are a few fun little archival bits from the making of the book.
Unfortunately, not all history is as well preserved as the Blind Boys’. The images below show the condition of blues musician Robert Johnson’s Memphis home on E. Georgia Avenue. A few different efforts to restore the place hit obstacles and now there’s not much left to restore.
So hey, let’s enjoy fine literature and excellent music while we last.
Great congratulations on your new book. I've posted it on Saxontheweb, the world's largest forum with over 60,000 members. https://www.saxontheweb.net/threads/sympathy-for-the-devil.404290/
I also cited your article about Dan Robey in the new book "Race, Women and Rock n' Roll" which a review cited as "The first book to extensively review the critical roles of women and racism in the birth and growth of blues, r&b and rock n' roll". Here's the great sax of Willene Barton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPddpEnzAFQ