I first saw The Imperials with Russ Taff in Bend Oregon in 1980. He was the one who planted the seed in my heart. I was living a nightmare with a monster of a stepfather and when I heard this music and the hope in the message, I believed!! I went on to be a lead singer in a christian group for 12 years!! Praise Jesus!! Thank you Russ for your obedience to the Lord!!!
I appreciate the honesty in your answer and I know we all have questions about things, but for me, no doubt I have ever had could ever persuade me that He is not alive and real. I have seen too much in my life to NOT believe. I may not understand everything now, but I know one day I will. Everyone goes through heartache also, even Russ did. Just keep your heart open and I hope that maybe you can have an experience in your life where He shows himself to you as the living Lord.
@withfootnotes So you will base you belief in the existence or non-existence of God on the actions of people in this world who are fallible and frail. Such a conclusion is not logical nor intelligent. There is, by very definition, only one perfect being in the universe and there can only be one. People make mistakes and have weaknesses. That is what makes us human. That is why we need his love. Thank God he is so merciful and forgiving and I hope you will find out one day for yourself.
@RichNewnes actually my loss of faith had more to do with god and the bible. other christians weren't really the reason. i have been hurt by christians but noone goes through life without being hurt by someone. that was really the least of my many reasons for loss of faith. as for Taff, i probably mixed him up with his father, i had heard that years ago and thought it was him. people are people and have struggles in this life. i am removing my op as it is too harsh to say there is no god.
@withfootnotes Btw I did a search on google for "Russ Taff alcoholism" and all I could verify from that search was that it was his father who was an alcoholic, not him. If you could point me to something that says that he struggled with this as well, I will accept your statement. But, even if he did, how could you possibly use one man's weakness as a justification for your unbelief. For something this important, you should have something much more substantial to base you claim on.
i loved the sound of RussTaff but the video on UTUBE here keeps skipping and i can enjoy seeing it thi sway, its like th edigital tv when the channels going in and out because the converter box not getting a proper signal phooey
I spent many many months on the ocean listening to the Imperials with Russ Taff. I too wish he had never left them. Lets face it...neither he nor the Imperials were the same. I know the Imperials are still singing and Morales is still with them. And Russ did a stint with the Gaither Vocal Band a little while ago. But the Imperials with him singing lead was proabably the greatest group EVER. Just my opinion.
As a kid in the mid-to-late 1980s, I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS GUY, in his music video for 'I'm Not Alone'. I did not know Russ Taff's name but I knew his face and the music, and THE WORDS TO THAT SONG ->
'WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES,
I KNOW YOU ARE HERE'
That always made me smile when I saw it.
I saw it played on TV38 /Chicago on the program 'Lightmusic' or 'Solid Rock V.D.O.'
That music video was once on Youtube but it's gone. If anyone has it, PLEASE UPLOAD IT.
Hey, THANKS for uploading the vid! I actually played on that video (bass), and I've always hoped someone out there had saved some of the "More Than Music" recordings. It was great to see Russ again in rare form. Great times... It would be so great if you had any more to upload (hint hint) :)
Look at the hair..still a good song!
macpsmith 7 months ago
I first saw The Imperials with Russ Taff in Bend Oregon in 1980. He was the one who planted the seed in my heart. I was living a nightmare with a monster of a stepfather and when I heard this music and the hope in the message, I believed!! I went on to be a lead singer in a christian group for 12 years!! Praise Jesus!! Thank you Russ for your obedience to the Lord!!!
womanofsoul1 9 months ago
I appreciate the honesty in your answer and I know we all have questions about things, but for me, no doubt I have ever had could ever persuade me that He is not alive and real. I have seen too much in my life to NOT believe. I may not understand everything now, but I know one day I will. Everyone goes through heartache also, even Russ did. Just keep your heart open and I hope that maybe you can have an experience in your life where He shows himself to you as the living Lord.
RichNewnes 1 year ago
Comment removed
withfootnotes 1 year ago
@withfootnotes So you will base you belief in the existence or non-existence of God on the actions of people in this world who are fallible and frail. Such a conclusion is not logical nor intelligent. There is, by very definition, only one perfect being in the universe and there can only be one. People make mistakes and have weaknesses. That is what makes us human. That is why we need his love. Thank God he is so merciful and forgiving and I hope you will find out one day for yourself.
RichNewnes 1 year ago
@RichNewnes actually my loss of faith had more to do with god and the bible. other christians weren't really the reason. i have been hurt by christians but noone goes through life without being hurt by someone. that was really the least of my many reasons for loss of faith. as for Taff, i probably mixed him up with his father, i had heard that years ago and thought it was him. people are people and have struggles in this life. i am removing my op as it is too harsh to say there is no god.
withfootnotes 1 year ago
@withfootnotes Btw I did a search on google for "Russ Taff alcoholism" and all I could verify from that search was that it was his father who was an alcoholic, not him. If you could point me to something that says that he struggled with this as well, I will accept your statement. But, even if he did, how could you possibly use one man's weakness as a justification for your unbelief. For something this important, you should have something much more substantial to base you claim on.
RichNewnes 1 year ago
The Imperials ended when Russ left and Michael went back to jazz/pop.
Kamisamadesu1 1 year ago
I always hoped he would lean toward blues as his career went on.
fivepiece 1 year ago
LOL BEST SONG 0:40
spietproductions 2 years ago
i loved the sound of RussTaff but the video on UTUBE here keeps skipping and i can enjoy seeing it thi sway, its like th edigital tv when the channels going in and out because the converter box not getting a proper signal phooey
brightgem33 2 years ago
This is Russ Taff at his best, which also means The Imperials at their best.
In my opinion, when Russ left The Imperials, he acquired too much "Country Twang" in his singing and also lost a lot of vigor and energy.
Paul Smith was the next lead singer of The Imperials, doing very well with the group but it just wasn't the Imperials that Russ had helped make.
This song...this singer, and this group were at it's absolute best right at THIS point!
pdburk 2 years ago 10
I spent many many months on the ocean listening to the Imperials with Russ Taff. I too wish he had never left them. Lets face it...neither he nor the Imperials were the same. I know the Imperials are still singing and Morales is still with them. And Russ did a stint with the Gaither Vocal Band a little while ago. But the Imperials with him singing lead was proabably the greatest group EVER. Just my opinion.
sundaypunchr 2 years ago 5
As a kid in the mid-to-late 1980s, I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS GUY, in his music video for 'I'm Not Alone'. I did not know Russ Taff's name but I knew his face and the music, and THE WORDS TO THAT SONG ->
'WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES,
I KNOW YOU ARE HERE'
That always made me smile when I saw it.
I saw it played on TV38 /Chicago on the program 'Lightmusic' or 'Solid Rock V.D.O.'
That music video was once on Youtube but it's gone. If anyone has it, PLEASE UPLOAD IT.
turbografx 2 years ago
Glad to find this after all these years!
fairspirit4 2 years ago 2
Jesus im crying a lot, i remember when i used to lisen this music and im so glad to watch them again, thank you god
Sualo76 2 years ago
Gotta love the Imperials! He has an awesome voice, wish he never had left the Imperials.
safypouncer 2 years ago 2
russ taff and the imperials ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
m4t7s 3 years ago
sounds like he's ahead of the music.
cindy7771 3 years ago
I miss Christian music like this...Russ was amazing! Probably still is!
tbowles411 3 years ago 2
wonderful voice. Glory to God for you Russ! We want to get our life in tune because of your tune! love,
Sally & Brian
brisal3 3 years ago
\o/
one of best voices of Imperials.
Russ is "the voice".
GKOBE 3 years ago
woooooooo man this is awsome hes the best imperials are the best and keith green cant wait to see them in heaven
frankiesinatra829 3 years ago
Thanks Russ! I always wanted to sing with you.
jackcrackhead 3 years ago
my mom begged me to loo this up
AngelUnaware08 3 years ago
Wow does this bring back the memories. Thanks for the video.
southernyankee07 3 years ago
NCBassguy-are you still playing and did you ever meet Russ?
jvel55 3 years ago
Hey, THANKS for uploading the vid! I actually played on that video (bass), and I've always hoped someone out there had saved some of the "More Than Music" recordings. It was great to see Russ again in rare form. Great times... It would be so great if you had any more to upload (hint hint) :)
NCBassguy 4 years ago
Maravillosooooooooooo!!!
Glory to God
maxchambi7 4 years ago