The Imperials

This article is about the Gospel group "The Imperials". For information on the doo wop group called "The Imperials", see Little Anthony & the Imperials.

This article is about the Gospel group "The Imperials". For information on the doo wop group called "The Imperials", see Little Anthony & the Imperials.

The Imperials have been making music since 1964 and have in that time undergone many personnel and stylistic changes before returning to the gospel songs that originally made them popular. As of the mid-'90s, Armond Morales is the only charter member of the Imperials; he and Jake Hess founded the quintet. Over the years, 18 different singers have come and gone, including such legends as Russ Taff, Paul Smith, and Gary McSpadden.