The concept of secular artists using pseudonyms to record religious music goes back to the most famous blues artists. Blind Lemon Jefferson, for instance, recorded spirituals as Deacon L.J. The most prominent gospel group with a secret identity were Chicago’s Kelly Brothers, who also recorded R&B songs as the King Pins in the 1960s. As the King Pins, “He’s All Right” was a minor R&B hit in 1960. The same song, but with the words “Jesus is all right” inserted in the chorus, was a gospel hit at the same time for the Kelly Brothers!
Curtis, Robert and Andrew Kelly, along with a couple of friends, bounced around Chicago for several years, always releasing soulful, churchy, guitar-driven music – whether it was gospel or R&B – and always brought down the house with “(I Was Way Down Yonder) I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray.”
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.
