Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 Send requests to address or e-mail given. Phone (213) 821-2366; fax (213) 740-2343. USC Libraries Special Collections specol@usc.edu
Description
Interview with Reverend Calvin Bernard Rhone. Rev. Rhone is a national gospel artist and pastor of the Hope of Glory Christian Center located at 10701 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, California. The son of Eugene and Melissa Rhone, migrants from Arkansas and Texas respectively, Calvin was directly influenced by his father who was a singing deacon and member of a number of gospel quartet groups including the Spiritual Five of Los Angeles. An active participant in the National Quartet Convention of America (Singers Alliance Local 80-1), Eugene Rhone’s relationship with Rebert H. (R.H.) Harris had a profound effect on young Calvin who also sang with the Mighty Sons of Glory a local quartet group. Harris (1916-2000) was the former lead singer of the Soul Stirrers, one of the most influential quartet groups. Pioneering the practice of having one strong lead sing against a four-part harmony, he is credited with ushering the modern quartet style of singing. In Los Angeles, Calvin Rhone attended the Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend David M. Durham. The interview recounts the African American religious community in Los Angeles during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Rhone details the major church services broadcast on radio and names influential singers, musicians, choirs, composers and choir directors. He talks extensively about Professor Marvin Jenkins, church rituals and services, the role of music within church services, the power of song as a tool of conversion and deliverance, songwriting, choir directing, the interaction between musicians and preachers, singing preachers, and his appreciation for both sacred and secular music, musicians and performers. Gospel composer and arranger Donald Lawrence is mentioned extensively as is the Reverend James Cleveland, Henry Jackson, Tramaine Hawkins, Daryl Coley, D.J. Rogers, Reba Rambo (McGuire), and Rodena Preston. Parts of the songs “Uncloudy Day”, “If It Had Not Been for the Lord By My Side”, “God Leads Us Along”, “Precious Lord”, “Won’t He Make You Clean Inside”, Highway to Heaven”, and “Lord Keep Me Day by Day” are sung by Rhone within the interview.
Type
moving image
Format
1 video file (72 min.) : digital, mp4 file Quartet Singing Traditional Gospel Contemporary Gospel streaming video
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
