Cleophus Robinson

Reverend Cleophus Robinson ( born March 18, 1932 in Canton, Mississippi; † July 2, 1998 in Saint Louis, Missouri) was an American gospel and blues singer, songwriter, entertainer and preacher.

Biography

Born in 1932 in Mississippi, Robinson grew up in a musical family. His mother was a locally well-known gospel singer. Also at work in the cotton fields Gospel was sung. 1948 Robinson went to Chicago, where he sang in various churches. The Roberta Martin Singers he even stepped on along with Mahalia Jackson.

In 1949 he made ​​his first studio recordings. However, the Single New Lord was unsuccessful. Robinson returned to the south. In Memphis, he graduated from high school. As a radio host, he had a weekly show, "The Voice of the Soul". If known gospel musicians were in town, he performed with them. He also began a decades-long collaboration with pianist Napoleon Brown.

1953 Robinson got a recording contract with Peacock Records, but first has seen no greater success. A trip into acting after a year he gave up again, in order to concentrate on the music. In 1956 appeared the awaited hit single Pray for Me, which he had recorded with his sister Josephine James. The following year he took a job at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, making his musical activities were a little into the background. In 1962, Robinson's first album under the title Pray for Me on the market. Besides, he had his weekly radio show " Hour of Faith". In 1964 he also began with a gospel show on television.

In the 1960s, Robinson changed hands several times, the record company. With Solemn Prayor and How Sweet It is to Be Loved by God ( 1965) he had more hits. Middle of the decade, his music oriented more on the blues. He made a European tour and performed at the Denver Pop Festival on. His biggest hit was Wrapped Up, Tied Up, Tangled Up. In the 1970s, he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. In 1980 he sang at the White House. In 1986, he once again had a hit with Save a Seat for Me