Real name: The Famous Davis Sisters of Philadelphia

Effective period / Period of releases: 1950 - 1979

Members: Jackie Verdell, Ruth Davis (2), Imogene Greene, Alfreda Davis, Audrey Davis (3), Thelma Davis, Curtis Dublin

An American gospel group founded by “Baby Sis” Ruth Davis in the late 1940s and featuring her sisters Thelma, Audrey, Alfreda and Edna. Imogene Greene joined the group in 1950, and was later replaced by Jackie Verdell when Greene left to join the The Caravans. Curtis Dublin was the group’s longtime pianist whom joined in 1947. Raised in the Fire-Baptized Holiness Church in Philadelphia, the Davis Sisters were one of the first female groups to sing "hard gospel" of the sort being pioneered by the The Dixie Hummingbirds and other male quartets of the day. Though a quintet, They achieved a big sound, managing to sound like a choir behind the lead singer by positioning themselves several steps behind the microphone. The group performed primarily throughout the Golden Era of Gospel in the 40s, 50s, and 60s although they retired from the gospel scene and released there last album in the mid 80s. Four members died in separate but tragic fashions. One was burned to death. Ruth died in 1970, while still a young woman, after fighting diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. As a gospel group, they recorded for Gotham, Savoy and RCA Victor record labels. Do not confuse this group with the country duo comprised of Skeeter and Betty Jack Davis.