THE SAGA OF THE CHRISTIAN SUPERHERO UNFOLDS...

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: The Imperials

The Imperials have been making music since 1964 and have in that time undergone many personnel and stylistic changes before returning to the gospel songs that originally made them popular. As of the mid-'1990s, Armond Morales is the only charter member of the Imperials; he and Jake Hess founded the quintet. Over the years, 18 different singers have come and gone, including such legends as Russ Taff, Paul Smith, and Gary McSpadden.

Over the years, the Imperials have released over 40 albums and had 14 number one songs. They have also won four Grammy Awards and 13 Dove Awards, making the Imperials, despite (or because of) their many style changes, one of the most popular Christian bands ever. In 1987, they stirred up controversy and lost many of their oldest fans when they exchanged gospel to adopt a harder rock/techno/pop sound with the album This Year's Model. The subsequent albums Stir It Up and Love's Still Changing Hearts continued in the same vein. READ MORE>>