Calvin Williams (pictured), who began singing gospel music before World War II and ended his performing career in the 1980s as a member of the Ink Spots, died recently at the age of 89.
A South Carolina native, Williams began singing gospel at age 15, just before the start of World War II. After working in shipyards during the war, Williams formed a singing group called "The Deep Tones" in 1947, after moving to Trenton, N.J., according to an article by Charles Horner, a New Jersey music historian.
The Deep Tones moved from gospel to secular music in 1951 and performed backup singing for Ella Fitzgerald on her song "Trying."
Williams sang with a few different groups during the 1960s, including the Hi Lighters, Four Knights and the Stereos.
In 1972, Williams joined the Golden Gate Quartet, a revolving member group founded in 1934 and arguably the most successful gospel singing group of all time, and toured with them for 14 years.
Williams was still singing in to the 1980s when he joined Johnny Smith's Ink Spots, one of several groups claiming the name of the original legendary 1930s group.
The longevity of Williams singing career is a testament to a true professional who obviously loved performing as much as his fans loved his voice.
Rest in peace, Calvin Williams.
Listen to the Hi Lighters sing "Feelin' Alright This Morning":
25-Oct-10 - While T.I. reported to jail on November 1, he doesn't have to face additional charges and possible jail time from the arrest in California.
22-Oct-10 - Nearly 20 years after it would have mattered, the ex-girlfriend of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said Thomas was "obsessed" with pornography.
20-Oct-10 - A Yeadon, Pa., woman pulled out her handgun on a city bus and threatened a passenger who had been mindlessly chatting away on her cell phone.
14-Oct-10 - MSNBC "News Nation" host Tamron Hall discusses how her sister, Renate, was found face down in the pool of her own home in 2004, after a domestic violence incident.
Calvin Williams (pictured), who began singing gospel music before World War II and ended his performing career in the 1980s as a member of the Ink Spots, died recently at the age of 89.