RIP Gordon Stoker, tenor of The Jordanaires -- a voice you've heard even if you don't know the name

[prberk]

Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires passed away yesterday in Nashville, at the age of 88. He was the tenor singer for so many years in the group that, I would say more than any other, defined how to sing backup and make a song shine.

They were famous as Elvis' backup group in the 1950s and '60s (on such hits as "Are You Lonesome Tonight" and "Hound Dog" and "How Great Thou Art" -- which was amazing), but also sang backup on Patsy Cline's "Crazy" and George Jones' 1980 hit, "He Stopped Loving Her Today."

In more recent times, Disney fans would want to know that they provided the wonderful vocals in a lot of the songs on "O Mickey Where Art Thou", one if the best "Disney Goes Country" types of albums I have ever heard.

One final note for country fans: They sang the famous chords of Jimmy Dean's famous steel-driving hit, "Big Bad John," but were never credited. I am giving them credit here today. Take listen to one of these famous songs (or one of the countless others that defined several generations), and think about Gordon today. He is singing blessings in God's choir today.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tennessean/obituary.aspx?n=gordon-stoker&pid=163886664

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gordon Stoker, a member of The Jordanaires vocal group that backed Elvis Presley, died Wednesday. He was 88.

His son, Alan, told The Associated Press that Stoker died at his home in Brentwood, Tenn., after a lengthy illness. Stoker, who was born in Gleason, Tenn., got his start playing the piano on WSM radio and its signature show, the Grand Ole Opry.

Alan Stoker said his father was just 15 when he started playing professionally. He joined the Jordanaires as a piano player, but then became tenor vocalist. The group was already well known for their gospel singing when Presley recruited them to perform on his recording of "Hound Dog," in 1956.

The Jordanaires originated in Missouri and came to Nashville, where they backed Red Foley on a segment of the Opry called the "Prince Albert Show," according to John Rumble, senior historian at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Rumble said they drew on both black an d white gospel music, as well as many of the hymns Stoker knew by heart from his childhood in rural West Tennessee.

"He could play by ear," Rumble said. "Anything he could hear on the radio, he could play it."

The quartet soon developed a national audience after performing on the Opry and the nationally syndicated show, "Eddy Arnold Time."

They recorded and performed for years with Elvis, who was a huge gospel fan, Rumble said. In some of the early Elvis recordings, such as "It's Now or Never," and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" their vocals really stood out, he said.

The Jordanaires also performed with Patsy Cline on "Crazy," with Jim Reeves on "Four Walls," on George Jones' 1980 hit "He Stopped Loving Her Today," and on Kenny Rogers' "Lucille."

They were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

 

[Nemo14]

I had never heard his name, but I remember that music so well. Thanks for posting this, Paul.

 

[luv]

I didn't know his name, either. "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is a song I've always loved a lot.

RIP, Mr. Stoker.