Robert Anderson (singer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Anderson was an American
gospel
singer and composer.
, and moved to Chicago
with his family as a child. During his childhood, Anderson learned piano by ear and assisted Roberta Martin
with coaching the Sunday school choir at the Metropolitan Community Church. In 1933, Anderson became one of the original Roberta Martin Singers
. Because he didn't like their busy travel schedule, Anderson initially left the group in 1939.
or Billy Eckstine
. Unlike many of his Chicago gospel contemporaries, Anderson was not known for stage antics, shouting, or other movements while singing. Anderson's style contained very little physical movement, with much attention paid to phrasing, tone, and dynamic style. In 1942, he formed Good Shepherd Music House, which he based in Gary, Indiana
. Good Shepherd Music House published his compositions, such as "Prayer Changes Things", "Why Should I Worry", and "Oh Lord, Is It I?" In 1943, he performed "Something Within" at the National Baptist Convention. After that performance, his career began to take off. In 1947, Anderson formed a group that would back him and share lead vocals. This group was known as his Gospel Caravan, which would later be renamed The Caravans
in 1951. Anderson and The Caravans
' first recordings were made in August 1949 and released in September 1949 on the Miracle Records label. In 1951, Anderson and The Caravans
joined the United Records
label. During an April 18, 1952 recording session, Anderson and The Caravans
split ways. After the breakup, Anderson continued to record with a new group of singers called The Robert Anderson Singers. In 1954, Anderson and the Anderson singers joined Apollo Records
. In 1955, Anderson began recording as a solo artist, recording and performing sporadically through the mid 1990s for labels such as Vee Jay Records and Savoy Records
. Anderson served as choir director at the Hertzell United Methodist Church until his death in 1995.
on June 15, 1995. Anderson was 76 years old.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singer and composer.
Early years
Robert Anderson was born in Anguilla, MississippiAnguilla, Mississippi
Anguilla is a town in Sharkey County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 907 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Anguilla is located at ....
, and moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
with his family as a child. During his childhood, Anderson learned piano by ear and assisted Roberta Martin
Roberta Martin
Roberta Martin was an American gospel composer, singer, pianist, arranger and choral organizer, helped launch the careers of many other gospel artists through her group, The Roberta Martin Singers.-Early years:...
with coaching the Sunday school choir at the Metropolitan Community Church. In 1933, Anderson became one of the original Roberta Martin Singers
The Roberta Martin Singers
-Career:The Roberta Martin Singers were an African-American gospel group based in the United States. The group was founded in 1933 by Roberta Martin, who in that same year had just become acquainted with the then new trend of Christian music known as gospel, which was different than the traditional...
. Because he didn't like their busy travel schedule, Anderson initially left the group in 1939.
Musical career
Robert Anderson began his solo career in 1939 with R.L. Knowles. They formed the Knowles and Anderson Singers and traveled together until 1941, when Anderson rejoined the Roberta Martin Singers and stayed with them until 1943. Anderson possessed a baritone voice coupled with a style often compared to that of Bing CrosbyBing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
or Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
. Unlike many of his Chicago gospel contemporaries, Anderson was not known for stage antics, shouting, or other movements while singing. Anderson's style contained very little physical movement, with much attention paid to phrasing, tone, and dynamic style. In 1942, he formed Good Shepherd Music House, which he based in Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. Good Shepherd Music House published his compositions, such as "Prayer Changes Things", "Why Should I Worry", and "Oh Lord, Is It I?" In 1943, he performed "Something Within" at the National Baptist Convention. After that performance, his career began to take off. In 1947, Anderson formed a group that would back him and share lead vocals. This group was known as his Gospel Caravan, which would later be renamed The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
in 1951. Anderson and The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
' first recordings were made in August 1949 and released in September 1949 on the Miracle Records label. In 1951, Anderson and The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
joined the United Records
United Records
For "United Records", see United Records United Records was in business from July 1951 to December 1957. It was operated by Chicago businessman Leonard Allen, initially in collaboration with Lew Simpkins...
label. During an April 18, 1952 recording session, Anderson and The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
split ways. After the breakup, Anderson continued to record with a new group of singers called The Robert Anderson Singers. In 1954, Anderson and the Anderson singers joined Apollo Records
Apollo Records
Apollo Records may refer to:* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - Belgian-based company* Apollo Records - US based company...
. In 1955, Anderson began recording as a solo artist, recording and performing sporadically through the mid 1990s for labels such as Vee Jay Records and Savoy Records
Savoy Records
Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
. Anderson served as choir director at the Hertzell United Methodist Church until his death in 1995.
Death
Robert Anderson died in Hazel Crest, IllinoisHazel Crest, Illinois
Hazel Crest is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14,816 at the 2000 census. Despite being primarily located in Bremen Township, the village is also located in Rich Township south of 183rd Street and Thornton Township east of I-80/94 The Village is located in...
on June 15, 1995. Anderson was 76 years old.