Talk:The Imperials

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Image[edit]

What kind of "neutral point of view" can Wikipedia claim to have after allowing this mess of an article? The main photo used isn't even the Imperials...it's the Classic Imperials instead. Wikipedia is freaking hilarious. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.112.160.82 (talk) 17:49, 15 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

1st gospel group to use bus?[edit]

The last paragraph about "four young guys" sounds like it may need verification and cleaning up. Also, the assertion that The Imperials were the first group to customize a bus for group travel is too vague. What exactly did they do first?

Responce to above: Verification for the "four young guys" is provided in the "refferences" on their website, and other media sources. I think who ever put up the info about The Imperials being the first group to customize a bus, took that down. The Imperials were not the first group to do that. The idea of customizing a Bus like an RV came from J.D. Sumner. He was with The Blackwood Brothers at the time, and was never an Imperial. However The Imperials maybe one of the first quartets to adobt the idea as it caught on pretty fast, it is now a standard way of travel for all Southern Gospel and most Rock and Country Bands.

Lawsuit[edit]

Could someone please add references to the lawsuit that was filed by the current members of the Imperials against 2 groups that are made up of former members? The lawsuit is over who can & can't use "Imperials" in their name.72.93.81.74 (talk) 01:56, 22 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Your statement is inaccurate. The legal situation is not about the name. The situation is about fraudulent federal registration papers sent in by Mr Morales. Mr Morales sold, any and all of 'his ownership' rights to the current group. He has admitted this action and The Imperials and Mr morales are working on the situation —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.52.183.2 (talk) 05:25, 11 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I DO intend to mention the lawsuit at some point but because I am not a lawyer I want to find several good EXPLANATORY sources which can tell everything involved in the dispute. I'm not certain if the dispute is only between the "four young guys" touring as the Imperials and older members of the gospel band or if OTHER "Imperials" acts are also involved (I know there is a blues group with that name as well as the 50s/60s Little Anthony R&B act.)GBrady (talk) 19:28, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Found some material to sift through on the legal mess. It would be GREAT if a lawyer could offer some perspective here: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/februaryweb-only/109-43.0.html http://www.musicscribe.com/blog/wordpress/?p=908 http://theimperials.com/media/Complaintcopy.pdf http://swainsmusings.blogspot.com/2008/03/armond-morales-releases-letter-to-son.html

Also presumably someone with LEXIS/NEXIS access could tell if this case is still ongoing or not? GBrady (talk) 08:01, 18 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

How can I contact you about the Lawsuit? I believe I have truthful and collaborated information. —Preceding unsigned comment added by The Classic Imperials (talk • contribs) 12:04, 24 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

The Lawsuit is over. The young guys not only launched a lawsuit against Armond and Bonnie Morales, but also went after Little Anthony and The Imperials. The owner of the trademark ultimately won the suit and shut down the new group. Subsequently, Rick Evans (The imperials G.M. negotiated a deal with the trademark owner so that Armond Morales, Dave, Will, and Paul Smith could retain the use of their name and continue to the legacy of The Imperials.

Whoever posted this last statement does not know what you are talking about. There was not a suite against Little Anthony at all. AND Armond actually started the LEGAL mess!!! Little Anthony had NOTHING to do with THE IMPERIALS shutting down. Jason Morales, the rightful owner, with Ian Owens decided it was time to do so!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.190.8.123 (talk) 17:32, 18 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I am sorry to say "68.190.8.123" that you are incorrect. There certainly was a suit from the MOSH group (Jason, Ian, Jerime, and Shannon), against Little Anthony and The Imperials. Court doc’s don’t mislead. It had everything to do with it. This can easily be proven by contacting the DC burro for Trademark assignments. The lawsuit filed against Little Anthony and the Imperials is well documented and so is the loss they suffered, as well as the cease and desist letter sent to MOSH, shortly before they disbanded. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Lee Karnbach (talk • contribs) 15:03, 23 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]


What loss are you speaking of? The Imperials (Jason, Ian, Shannon, Jerimie) won the case against Armond. AND the so-called process against Little Anthony was actually dropped by these guys. Everything is not always as it appears!!! Because The Imperials were shutting down, they basically ignored anything that was going on with Little Anthony!!! It had NOTHING to do with them shutting down. They had already decided to do so. AND Shannon and Jerimie had already left the group!!! Although, technically they still had some part of the group. Jason and Ian were going to take over the group but I guess they never actually did. Again, just because something looks a certain way does not mean that it is as it appears. Technically, I guess the case was won by Little Anthony, but Jason and Ian was done with the group. Why continue with process? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.190.8.123 (talk) 14:36, 2 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well I guess technically the older guys, that are using a name they do not have a the right to use, are stealing!!! Things do appear, fishy!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.190.8.123 (talk) 14:37, 2 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]


/* Lawsuit */ User talk:68.190.8.123 this is not a forum to argue issues. This is a page for historic information. I have verified the information on the Classic Imperials. 1. The Classic Imperials have three Imperials as part of their group (Paul Smith, Dave Will, Armond Morales), and are recognized by the Christian Industry as The Imperials. They also have the only still singing "original member" of any Imperials organization – Armond Morales. 2. Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood also have a group called The Elvis Imperials and they are recognized in the secular industry as the group that backed up Elvis. The two groups have a relationship with each other, and an agreement that each will work in their field of experience and expertise. Also, both groups have been sanctioned by Clarence Collins (The owner of the trademark won in the lawsuit from MOSH) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ridinghigh (talk • contribs) 11:29, 13 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Signature songs[edit]

I'm wondering if anyone else thinks the sentence asserting "Sweet Sweet Spirit" and "Sail On" as the group's 'signature songs' (last sentence,2nd graf) is a bit too POV? The group has been together in one form or another since 1964 and to select 2 songs out of the group's entire catalogue as the "most recognized" is a bit like calling The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" and "Street Fighting Man" their 'signature' songs. Also, consider the fact that the group is either southern gospel, 70s pop or blue-eyed soul depending on which album(s) you listen to magnifies the difficulty in pigeonholing the band.

I think there are simply too many to just pick two. Perhaps a better way would be to simply list the tunes for which they've won GMA Dove Awards? GBrady (talk) 14:46, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Time with Elvis[edit]

Can anyone with more knowledge help to definitely nail down, with a reference, what the time frame is for the group touring with Elvis Presley? Original wording said 1969-1972 but article I looked at only mentions they are heard on He Touched Me (http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/imperials.htm) and a Wiki for the Stamps Quartet shows THEY were on tour with Elvis during some of that period. Can anyone find something definitive here? GBrady (talk) 15:38, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Citations[edit]

I'm working on getting citations in here but I'm still a newbie so it may be awhile before I get them functioning correctly and in the right style. Please bear with me..or better yet offer advice on how I can do it properly to make this as a "Class A" article. :D GBrady (talk) 19:12, 5 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The Imperials made up Joe Moscheo, Terry Blackwood, Armond Morales, Jim Murray and Roger Wiles performed with Elvis from 1969 to 1972 and were included on Elvis Presley's How Great Thou Art and He Touched Me. They also backed Elvis on Suspicious Minds, In The Ghetto, and were in the movie That's the Way It Is. Terry Blackwood and Joe Moscheo continue to sing as the Imperials and do a lot of singing overseas with Elvis tribute artists and also here in the US.

That's all well and good whoever says that but I need to have a DEFINITIVE print or online site stating same. We have to have citable sources here on Wikipedia as a matter of policy. I'll try and IMDB That's the Way it Is for when that was done but that would still only show they were with Presley for the show or shows used to make that movie..it doesn't nail down the full time frame. GBrady (talk) 18:41, 6 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The citations have been added. It seems that the citations clean-up notice can be removed. --Camulod (talk) 04:45, 31 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Current tenor[edit]

HI GBRADY

GBrady, My name is Jeremie Hudson. I am the current tenor of The Imperials. I have been with the group for 9 years and feel I could be of help with the writing of this history. Please feel free to ask any questions and I will try to be of some help to you. Thank you so much for working on this!!!

There has been some discussion about who owns the group. However, we can back up everything and anything we need to, to prove that Armond sold us the group. He signed an agreement in 2005 and he is about to back up that agreement again with more of the same.

Also The Imperials' "Back To The Roots" album just won album of the year by Sogospelnews.com. The album tied with The Isaacs, "Big Sky" for the awards. These awards are all voted on by the fans.''' ' Bold text

Jeremie, while I will appreciate any info you can give the nature of Wikipedia is that we endeavor to work as an encyclopedia would in providing verifiable sources and presenting a neutral point of view in matters likely to be controversial, such as litigation. Additionally, we strive to not use original research to do so meaning I can use a quote from you if it's somewhere in an article, book or on a Website but I CANNOT use a quote given to me by you directly. I am not speaking for myself here but rather trying to abide by accepted Wikipedia standards. Additionally, if I were to use quotes from you or other members of the "young" Imperials I would need to balance that with presentation of a quote from the "classic/old" Imperials aggregation. GBrady (talk) 07:16, 18 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

GBRADY, Thank you so much for your desire to work on this site. I do understand that there are some rules to abide by when writing an article here on Wikipedia and I do wish to see that happen. I am concerned about truthful and accurate statements and I know you are to.

First, the current group should not be regarded as the "young" Imperials. We are the current group. Any other group, former members or not, should not be viewed as "The Imperials" in any nature. I do not wish to be confrontational but I do not want there to be any more confusion about the group. Armond has signed another agreement. This agreement confirms the 2005 agreement and affirms/gives all rights, "again" to the current members. Any other group using the name is in fact, "stealing".

Secondly, Shannon Smith is no longer with The Imperials as a singer. He still is a partner of the company that owns the group/name The Imperials. We have not decided on a lead as of yet.

Last, and again, thank you so much for working on this. I do want to help you if I can. Please let me know. I shoot straight, so please do not think me rough. I am tired of the misconceptions from the public and deceptions that continue to come from former members this group. —Preceding unsigned comment added by IMPST (talk • contribs) 20:14, 18 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"Multiple issues"[edit]

Can someone clarify what is needed to make the article "better"? I'm hoping the citations issue is now pretty well cleared up? GBrady (talk) 19:35, 2 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Please keep in mind that this article is not about former members of The Imeprials, but is indeed about The Imperials. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.186.188.4 (talk) 21:06, 29 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Question with Past Members[edit]

I have a question about the members during the time line

  • 1990
  • Jason Beddoe - Tenor/Lead
  • Jonathan (Pierce) Hildreth- Lead/Tenor
  • David Will - Baritone/Lead
  • Armond Morales - Bass

I remember very well getting flyers in 1990-1991 of an Imperials concert and the photos only had Armond, Dave and Pam. As I recall in a TV interview on TBN in 1992 Dave found Jonathan at his Home Church and Pam was already singing with the Imperials. If anyone can clear this up with more details and facts please do. --Steveund 7 May 2010

CLASSIC IMPERIALS NAME CHANGE[edit]

A statement should be released soon, TheImperials.com goes straight to the classic imperials website, The Classic Imperials are now "The Imperials" again. Rick Evans an official member of the group has every right to change the page with updated info. Links and confermation will soon be posted. Please leave information up. --Steveund 8 September 2010


The only problem is, Rick Evens is a part of a group call classic imperials. NOT The Imperials. classic imperials was formed a few years ago, and plays off the Imperial name.


1. The Classic Imperials have three Imperials as part of their group (Paul Smith, Dave Will, Armond Morales), and are recognized by the Christian Industry as The Imperials. They also have the only still singing "original member" of any Imperials organization – Armond Morales.

2. Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood also have a group called The Elvis Imperials and they are recognized in the secular industry as the group that backed up Elvis. The two groups have a relationship with each other, and an agreement that each will work in their field of experience and expertise. Also, both groups have been sanctioned by Clarence Collins (The owner of the trademark won in the lawsuit from MOSH) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ridinghigh (talk • contribs) 11:32, 13 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]

External links modified[edit]

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External links modified[edit]

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Please delete. I just saw that the death of Armond Morales was noted in the In Memoriam section.

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