Being a musician from Richmond, Va., I'm truly proud of these men who etched the name "The Harmonizing Four" as one of the greatest gospel groups of all time. I went to elementary school with the bass singer Mr. Ellis Johnson's daughter (Deborah). The family lived across the street from Armstrong High School's gym, where we "Creighton Court Boys" played at back in the day of the late '60's. My favorites are "Golden Bells" and "Motherless Child". The bass on that song would vibrate the walls!
This is the bass singer that Elvis wanted to join him in Vegas in the late '60s -- don't think it worked out -- but Elvis would play a recording of the Harmonizing Four for the bass part until he wore it out.
@KenLove291 So do i,Ken. I don't have a video of them singing When They Ring Those Golden Bells but i have two audio recordings of them singing that song.The Four recorded Golden Bells twice-the first being in 1962 on the VeeJay record label and the second being in 1971 on the Checker Record label.
I remeber these guys in the early 60's when they would come to Annapolis, MD and our family The Souls of Joy would open for them... they were awesome back then.. Lead Singer still has it.
Jimmy Jones was the greatest bass man I've ever heard. Also there use to be a Franklin County man by the name of Samuel Levi Harris, that could sing anything Jimmy ever made... In The Very Same Key.
@123laconga I have two versions of We're Crossing Over" by the Harmonizing Four,the first being on the VJ Records label on the Think Of God album and the second being on the Atlantic Records label on the Four's 40th anniversary album in 1968 and laconga,get back to me asap.
I really miss these guess. I saw them in the late 70's or early 80's when I was just a little kid. I remember them singing "Only Believe." Ellis Johnson had an incredible bass. You will never find a great bass like this again. My dad collected old programs from their anniversaries in the 70's & they listed all former members around that time. Does anybody know if any of the other members are still alive (besides Gospel Joe, Ellis, Lonnie & Thommy)?
Actually, this is Ellis Johnson bassing on this song. He replaced Jones in the sixties. But you are right about the fact that Jones has a sweet bass voice. His was a little heavier and more full than Johnson's but I don't think the group could have gotten a better replacement for Jones than Johnson.
Jimmy Jones was sweet but Alex had more bottom.Between Alex and the guitarist who could make his axe talk!The guitarist came to Boston with The Harm 4 when he was 18 yrs old
Back in the day Package: Harmonizing 4,Swans,Soul Stirresrs,Highway Q C's and the Davis singers.The Loving Sisters took their place on these Packages.Swanee Quintet came up with them a lot. Friday night in the day we had the Jubes,Slim and Willie Banks.Slim came out in a cape with "Rise Again" and dropped the house!
I can remember as a child sitting around the record player listening to this song. My Dad, the late Don Taylor, and his brothers used to share the stage with groups like The Harmonizing Four, The Swan Silvertones, and The Soul Stirrers in the fifties. I've been trying to find videos of this group. Did they sing "Farther Along" on this program? Or does anyone have them singing that song? I'd sure love to see it.
I totally agree with you. My Dad had a great bass as well. In fact, one of his signature songs with his brothers was "Farther Along" which he got from Jimmy Jones. However, Ellis was a great replacement for Jones. If you can find him singing "Steal Away", he hits a real low note at the end of that song.
I will look for it and listen to it. Ellis was a great bass as well as Jones. I would like to see a video with Jones and the above group and with the Sensationals. Thanks
Blessed my soul.
mcrew365 1 month ago
Being a musician from Richmond, Va., I'm truly proud of these men who etched the name "The Harmonizing Four" as one of the greatest gospel groups of all time. I went to elementary school with the bass singer Mr. Ellis Johnson's daughter (Deborah). The family lived across the street from Armstrong High School's gym, where we "Creighton Court Boys" played at back in the day of the late '60's. My favorites are "Golden Bells" and "Motherless Child". The bass on that song would vibrate the walls!
dmb2056 6 months ago
@dmb2056 Hello. Would ya'll happen to know where I might find the chords or at least the lyrics to the Harmonizing Four doing "I Trust In God"?
Thank you.
buddyzroadie 1 month ago
This is the bass singer that Elvis wanted to join him in Vegas in the late '60s -- don't think it worked out -- but Elvis would play a recording of the Harmonizing Four for the bass part until he wore it out.
tvvoice 11 months ago
Great Bass singer. Has very good control of his voice. Good timbre in the voice. I think Issac Freeman's voice is a bit heavier.
chowman007 1 year ago
I really like their version of When They Ring Those Golden Bells - hope someone has a video of it. Was it Jimmy singing on it?
KenLove291 1 year ago
@KenLove291 So do i,Ken. I don't have a video of them singing When They Ring Those Golden Bells but i have two audio recordings of them singing that song.The Four recorded Golden Bells twice-the first being in 1962 on the VeeJay record label and the second being in 1971 on the Checker Record label.
wrestlerick01 1 year ago
Lonnie Smith is the father of Jazz artists Lonnie Liston Smith and Donald Smith who was a sensational singer.
bobbydee317 2 years ago
dshock11, you have some awesome videos, keep on posting this great music, you don't hear this kind of singing anymore.
msnylorac 2 years ago
I remeber these guys in the early 60's when they would come to Annapolis, MD and our family The Souls of Joy would open for them... they were awesome back then.. Lead Singer still has it.
ewdjon 2 years ago
I heard this song by them in a dream last night, from their UpFront/Vee Jay LP years ago.
Marshallmiracles 2 years ago
Jimmy Jones was the greatest bass man I've ever heard. Also there use to be a Franklin County man by the name of Samuel Levi Harris, that could sing anything Jimmy ever made... In The Very Same Key.
chuckli33 2 years ago
Does anyone have "We're Crossing Over" by the Harmonizing Four?
123laconga 3 years ago
@123laconga I have two versions of We're Crossing Over" by the Harmonizing Four,the first being on the VJ Records label on the Think Of God album and the second being on the Atlantic Records label on the Four's 40th anniversary album in 1968 and laconga,get back to me asap.
wrestlerick01 1 year ago
I really miss these guess. I saw them in the late 70's or early 80's when I was just a little kid. I remember them singing "Only Believe." Ellis Johnson had an incredible bass. You will never find a great bass like this again. My dad collected old programs from their anniversaries in the 70's & they listed all former members around that time. Does anybody know if any of the other members are still alive (besides Gospel Joe, Ellis, Lonnie & Thommy)?
jive5willie 3 years ago 2
Excellent, Excellent
deaconf616 3 years ago
goodness what a bass
thankfulgurl 3 years ago 4
what a powerful bass
claw7148 3 years ago 3
Wow Jimmy Jones has one hell of a sweet bass voice! Does anyone know where I can find more information on him?
Bass35744 3 years ago
Actually, this is Ellis Johnson bassing on this song. He replaced Jones in the sixties. But you are right about the fact that Jones has a sweet bass voice. His was a little heavier and more full than Johnson's but I don't think the group could have gotten a better replacement for Jones than Johnson.
herschelzboy 3 years ago 3
yea that's right. you right about that. God sent who he needed to fill in the gap.
yawotton 3 years ago 2
Jimmy Jones was sweet but Alex had more bottom.Between Alex and the guitarist who could make his axe talk!The guitarist came to Boston with The Harm 4 when he was 18 yrs old
Back in the day Package: Harmonizing 4,Swans,Soul Stirresrs,Highway Q C's and the Davis singers.The Loving Sisters took their place on these Packages.Swanee Quintet came up with them a lot. Friday night in the day we had the Jubes,Slim and Willie Banks.Slim came out in a cape with "Rise Again" and dropped the house!
revhcrayton 4 years ago
I can remember as a child sitting around the record player listening to this song. My Dad, the late Don Taylor, and his brothers used to share the stage with groups like The Harmonizing Four, The Swan Silvertones, and The Soul Stirrers in the fifties. I've been trying to find videos of this group. Did they sing "Farther Along" on this program? Or does anyone have them singing that song? I'd sure love to see it.
herschelzboy 4 years ago
Does anyone have videos of The Harmonizing Four with Jimmy Jones singing bass? Jones was a great bass singer!
brown9000 4 years ago
I totally agree with you. My Dad had a great bass as well. In fact, one of his signature songs with his brothers was "Farther Along" which he got from Jimmy Jones. However, Ellis was a great replacement for Jones. If you can find him singing "Steal Away", he hits a real low note at the end of that song.
herschelzboy 4 years ago
I will look for it and listen to it. Ellis was a great bass as well as Jones. I would like to see a video with Jones and the above group and with the Sensationals. Thanks
brown9000 4 years ago
My bust there Lonnie liston Smith Sr
Ellis Johnson, an Tommie " Goat" Johnson made a good team on stage
themusicman53 4 years ago
now Rev u are the Bomb, just wish this was when Gospel Joe an Lonnie were still around, but this is great, Father an son workin the stage
themusicman53 4 years ago
Lonnie is on the opposite end of the stage, behind "goat".
cizorwan 4 years ago
yes sa!!! i remember this i wanted to go but couldn't!!! thanks for this treasure!!!!
yawotton 4 years ago