The Impressions
“People Get Ready” – The Impressions
“The Impressions” were just one of the many music groups that affected America during the Civil Rights Movement. They were known for many styles of music including gospel, R&B, soul, and doo-wop. The forming of “The Impressions” came through a combination then separation of music groups. Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield were both from Chicago although Butler was actually born in Mississippi. They met in Chicago where together as school friends they sang in a numerous amount of local gospel groups. As teenagers they joined a doo-wop group known as “The Roosters.” The set of men they joined, Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, were all from Chattanooga, Tennessee. It would only be a year until the name changed to “Jerry Butler & the Impressions.” However, Jerry Butler would soon leave the group to go on to have his own solo career which was actually very successful. Fred Cash who was an original Roosters member would eventually join the group. In 1961, “The Impressions” would release their first post-Butler single called “Gypsy woman.” Becoming #2 on the R&B charts and #20 on the pop charts, this single was their biggest one to date. Although future releases failed to compare to the success of “Gypsy Woman”. This led to the departure of the Brook brothers in 1962. Now only three of them left, “The Impressions” linked up with producer Johnny Pate. He would help them update their style and sound. The result was magnificent. “It’s All Right” became a gold single that topped the R&B charts. The group would go on to release many other singles. After a while Curtis Mayfield would write songs that had a social and political message. This included a major song of the Civil Rights Movement, “People Get Ready.” It continues to be the group’s most well-known song. Curtis Mayfield would leave the group in 1970. It seemed like all was lost for “The Impressions” after this. Their lull continued until 1974 where new members Ralph
“The Impressions” were just one of the many music groups that affected America during the Civil Rights Movement. They were known for many styles of music including gospel, R&B, soul, and doo-wop. The forming of “The Impressions” came through a combination then separation of music groups. Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield were both from Chicago although Butler was actually born in Mississippi. They met in Chicago where together as school friends they sang in a numerous amount of local gospel groups. As teenagers they joined a doo-wop group known as “The Roosters.” The set of men they joined, Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, were all from Chattanooga, Tennessee. It would only be a year until the name changed to “Jerry Butler & the Impressions.” However, Jerry Butler would soon leave the group to go on to have his own solo career which was actually very successful. Fred Cash who was an original Roosters member would eventually join the group. In 1961, “The Impressions” would release their first post-Butler single called “Gypsy woman.” Becoming #2 on the R&B charts and #20 on the pop charts, this single was their biggest one to date. Although future releases failed to compare to the success of “Gypsy Woman”. This led to the departure of the Brook brothers in 1962. Now only three of them left, “The Impressions” linked up with producer Johnny Pate. He would help them update their style and sound. The result was magnificent. “It’s All Right” became a gold single that topped the R&B charts. The group would go on to release many other singles. After a while Curtis Mayfield would write songs that had a social and political message. This included a major song of the Civil Rights Movement, “People Get Ready.” It continues to be the group’s most well-known song. Curtis Mayfield would leave the group in 1970. It seemed like all was lost for “The Impressions” after this. Their lull continued until 1974 where new members Ralph