Russ Taff’s addition to the Imperials was like when Tommy Shaw joined Styx and Steve Perry joined Journey. They changed the group and created their legacy sound. They facilitated the peak years.
I remember listening to this when my children were just babies and I was doing housework.It gave me energy and I knew God was watching over me even though I didn;t attend church.
Russ Taff had stayed friends with Armond Morales, who was very proud of him, in his solo career, and his ministry. Also, he is still friends with Jim Murray! Great guy!
I can't believe the original "contemporary" lineup sang together again and with Michael Omartian on the keyboard. This is a great video. Bill Gaither should put a Imperials history DVD/Blu-Ray together. So many classic songs and so many members. They could and should cover from the original Jake Hess years, the Elvis years, the switch to "contemporary" Christian, all of the changes, etc. Hopefully Jonathan Pierce Hildreth will come back for this one.
Thank You For This!!!! You have no idea how much I've wanted to see Russ Taff reunite with Armond, Jim and Dave. I'\m verry grateful, even if it's just for one song!
Oh My Lord, I can't believe this. This is the first album I had as a kid, the Very Best of the Imperials. I wish this lineup would get back together and do a reunion tour. Love Jim Murray!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Update from my father: At least at that time, Jim Murray was living about 10 miles from my dad, was part of a Southern Gospel quartet in Oakdale CA, and would occasionally come to my dad's church to sing. He tripped when I played him an album from the 1967 Imperials, which included Jim Murray!
I used to love to see them bank in the day. My parents worked for the Chords and so I was around this music allot. I love the the Imperials and still cherish it to this day. If I was still living in Nashville I would have found away to be there.
I have all of my Imperials records and CD's. I LOVE the Imperials, to be a female vocalist Russ Taff's range and mine are almost the same. Love thier music.
Alejandro Granados Quilantan How different people look at this marvelous group. For me, the “classic lineup” included Jim Murray, Armond Morales, Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus and Joe Moscheo. My first albums were “Imperials” (1972) and “Follow the Man with the Music” (1974).
Oh man, I filmed part of this song but didn't get it all. I was really happy to see Dad singing with the guys again and unfortunately this was not too long after dads surgery and he was still healing ( hence why he grabbed his cane at the end ) but I love hearing dad with the guys. Thank you for the kind words and hopefully we will see more of these events!!
***** Thank you for your kind words. I love my dads voice still and even at 71 the Lord has allowed him to keep his voice and I have a feeling that Dad will be singing untill he can sing no longer ( at least I HOPE that will be the case ) and I am blessed every time I get to hear him. Thank you again for your kindness.
I wanted to ask privately but you can send me a message at wjwwright@gmail.com.....how is your dad doing? He is an awesome singer and love his part of this group....the history they made in Christian Music
Wow! must be nice to live around Nashville (I'm going to see him in a couple of months in Iowa). I didn't see the whole description before I watched it, so seeing Michael was a great surprise. And I thought I recognized Chris too. Thanks for recording it and posting.
Rob, you must have been sitting right beside me during this! Jim is my dad and I taped some but didn't have much room in my memory so only taped here and there. So happy you got this one !!
I think that's Michael Omartian on keys, wears a ball cap these days. Very cool, he produced the album, Hadley Hockensmith wrote this song. Very cool! Wish the Hadley was playing guitar.
Michael Omartian!?!? Where/how can one get a hold of his albums Mansion Builder (I think that's what it was - my LP was stollen) and Adam Again? Anyone know?
As far as I can see Michael only had 2 albums White Horse (1974) Adam Again (1977) but I may be wrong. The 2nd Chapter of Acts had an album called mansion builder
There was also "The Race" from 1991. The two songs from the album that got radio play were 'Morning Light' and 'Faithful Forever'. The album you are thinking of is "The Builder" which was one he did with his wife Stormie. It came out in 1980 and some of the more recognized players on the album were Abraham Laboriel, Phil Keggy, and of course Michael & Stormie.
I keep watching this - so awesome. I would have given my right arm to be there! Wish we could have seen them do the second round at the end. Did they do a bunch together or just that one?
Hey, correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't that short dark haired guitarist on the right the one that plays with Kenny Loggins an awful lot of the time????
Russ Taff’s addition to the Imperials was like when Tommy Shaw joined Styx and Steve Perry joined Journey. They changed the group and created their legacy sound. They facilitated the peak years.
These are the Imperials I grew up with....nice to see them together again....
Yes!
This has been my song since 1980's, I used to play this song over and over in my younger years, God is so good!🙏💖☺️
I'm so happy this exists on the Internet. Thank you for putting it out there.
R.I.P. Armond and Dave. In Heaven with the Father.
Boy, that takes me back! The Imperials were usually good, but my favorite era was when Russ Taff sang lead, & these four were together.
Same. Russ added a versatility, power and excitement. Richness.
Amazing to think these guys are in their 70's and Armond is in his early 80's I believe.... Way to go guys!!!!
Randy Lewis I think Armond Morales will die with a microphone in his hands, probably when he turns 100. They all look and sound great.
This is The best Imperials band ever formed especially with Russ Taff sinfing lead!
This is the music that Made my life better, Praise to the Lord! There are the original members that I used to listen since I was a just a kid!
I remember listening to this when my children were just babies and I was doing housework.It gave me energy and I knew God was watching over me even though I didn;t attend church.
My dad looks good even with the cane !! All the guys sounded good! Love you guys.
Loved the Imperials tremendously! Saw them live at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla.back in late 70s,early 1980s
Russ Taff had stayed friends with Armond Morales, who was very proud of him, in his solo career, and his ministry. Also, he is still friends with Jim Murray! Great guy!
I can't believe the original "contemporary" lineup sang together again and with Michael Omartian on the keyboard. This is a great video. Bill Gaither should put a Imperials history DVD/Blu-Ray together. So many classic songs and so many members. They could and should cover from the original Jake Hess years, the Elvis years, the switch to "contemporary" Christian, all of the changes, etc. Hopefully Jonathan Pierce Hildreth will come back for this one.
I believe The original "contemporary" lineup was Jim, Terry, Sherman, Armond and Joe
Bill generally promotes his songs and his groups.....most of the time
That's actually a very cool idea. Sadly Gary, Jonathan, David & Armond have passed in recent years. It was a missed opportunity.
@@neilproudfoot7640 It was.
Thank You For This!!!! You have no idea how much I've wanted to see Russ Taff reunite with Armond, Jim and Dave. I'\m verry grateful, even if it's just for one song!
Oh My Lord, I can't believe this. This is the first album I had as a kid, the Very Best of the Imperials. I wish this lineup would get back together and do a reunion tour. Love Jim Murray!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Mark Dempsey; that's real nice of you, brother. My dads voice is still really good at 72. Thank you, Mark!!
Update from my father: At least at that time, Jim Murray was living about 10 miles from my dad, was part of a Southern Gospel quartet in Oakdale CA, and would occasionally come to my dad's church to sing. He tripped when I played him an album from the 1967 Imperials, which included Jim Murray!
Wow! Love these guys! It's awesome to see this classic line up. This is the line up I remember the most.
love love love them even after all these years, grew up going to the Billy Graham crusade here in Houston and watching them!
I'm from Brazil and listened this lyrica when I was a young guy. This video remember me part of an teenager history. God bless you
Could they do a "Classic Imperials" tour, just like Petra did a few years ago? This was my favorite Imperials lineup, the late '70s, early '80s.
No
If you're under 50, you might not know that these four men are trailblazers in CCM. They are all-time greats in the Christian music arena.
I used to love to see them bank in the day. My parents worked for the Chords and so I was around this music allot. I love the the Imperials and still cherish it to this day. If I was still living in Nashville I would have found away to be there.
To stand in Your Presence totally free!
I'd LOVED to have been there. If I'd knew about it I would've. It'd been WELL worth the 3 hour drive. This is my favorite lineup of The Imperials. .
Let's not forget Michael Ormatian
Wow! What a great treat! And Michael Omartian on piano! Thanks for sharing this! My favorite song of all time, featuring my hero, Omar!
I have all of my Imperials records and CD's. I LOVE the Imperials, to be a female vocalist Russ Taff's range and mine are almost the same. Love thier music.
The best, os melhores halleluyar
Wow!!! The classic line up, my first album was sail on
Alejandro Granados Quilantan How different people look at this marvelous group. For me, the “classic lineup” included Jim Murray, Armond Morales, Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus and Joe Moscheo. My first albums were “Imperials” (1972) and “Follow the Man with the Music” (1974).
No thumbs down! How can anybody give this a thumbs down, it's classic
They still got it!
My favorite Imperial years was when Ron Hemby sang with them!
What a vocalist that guy was!
I can't believe I missed this. . . Thanks a million for posting, though.
Thank you
Es muy tremendo esto. Muchas gracias varon elevador del video
tnmusicman1 your dad did amazing. These are the Imperials I grew up with and am amazed they can still keep the sound they had
Oh man, I filmed part of this song but didn't get it all. I was really happy to see Dad singing with the guys again and unfortunately this was not too long after dads surgery and he was still healing ( hence why he grabbed his cane at the end ) but I love hearing dad with the guys. Thank you for the kind words and hopefully we will see more of these events!!
+tnmusicman1 Your dad did wonderful. I have sang quartet songs but the Imperials were always my inspiration. Your dads voice is still awesome
***** Thank you for your kind words. I love my dads voice still and even at 71 the Lord has allowed him to keep his voice and I have a feeling that Dad will be singing untill he can sing no longer ( at least I HOPE that will be the case ) and I am blessed every time I get to hear him. Thank you again for your kindness.
I wanted to ask privately but you can send me a message at wjwwright@gmail.com.....how is your dad doing? He is an awesome singer and love his part of this group....the history they made in Christian Music
***** he's doing well, thanks for asking.
Wow! must be nice to live around Nashville (I'm going to see him in a couple of months in Iowa). I didn't see the whole description before I watched it, so seeing Michael was a great surprise. And I thought I recognized Chris too. Thanks for recording it and posting.
Rob, you must have been sitting right beside me during this! Jim is my dad and I taped some but didn't have much room in my memory so only taped here and there. So happy you got this one !!
Awesome clip Rob. I grew up with these guys!
Man...they would fill stadiums if they ever got back together.....Yep!
I think that's Michael Omartian on keys, wears a ball cap these days. Very cool, he produced the album, Hadley Hockensmith wrote this song. Very cool! Wish the Hadley was playing guitar.
James Hollihan and I believe Chris Rodriguez are on the guitars here.
Michael Omartian!?!? Where/how can one get a hold of his albums Mansion Builder (I think that's what it was - my LP was stollen) and Adam Again? Anyone know?
As far as I can see Michael only had 2 albums White Horse (1974)
Adam Again (1977) but I may be wrong.
The 2nd Chapter of Acts had an album called mansion builder
I do believe you are right about 2nd Chapter of Acts. Where can I see a list of the songs on Michael's 2 albums?
There was also "The Race" from 1991. The two songs from the album that got radio play were 'Morning Light' and 'Faithful Forever'. The album you are thinking of is "The Builder" which was one he did with his wife Stormie. It came out in 1980 and some of the more recognized players on the album were Abraham Laboriel, Phil Keggy, and of course Michael & Stormie.
Chris Rodriquez on electric guitar. Now plays for Kenny Loggins & Keith Urban
I keep watching this - so awesome. I would have given my right arm to be there! Wish we could have seen them do the second round at the end. Did they do a bunch together or just that one?
Hey, correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't that short dark haired guitarist on the right the one that plays with Kenny Loggins an awful lot of the time????
I also love the Imperials, but the audio was horrible.
:)
Oops...he didn't have the cane for this song . Sorry dad!
Theo Vonn looking old