Effective period / Period of releases: 1916 - 1954

Members: Ken Pepper, Eddie Seals, Homer Tankersley, Floyd Gray (2)

Barbershop Quartet formed in the 1920's. The members were: Charles Speed, Homer Tankersley Jr., Dudley Hughes, Shaw Eiland and Marion Snider. The Imperial name had already been around the gospel circuit since at least the early 30's (at one point known as the Imperial Sugar Quartet after its sponsor, the Sugar Company). By the time the Imperial Quartet were making the rounds in 1953, they were immensely popular in Texas and all over the gospel quartet circuit. They made television and radio appearances, and were quite the draw. Members at this time included in its ranks Homer Tankersley,Jr., Floyd Gray, Charles Speed, David Reece, & Bill Randall.
But one day, David Reece (piano) was leaving the group, and Eddie Seals recalls Charles Speed calling him up to sing and audition for them. He passed, and the three subsequent Word releases during 1954 had Ed replacing Reece.

As the group transitioned full-time into the The Commodores, the name was sold to Jake Hess, who took the Imperials to another level completely for sales.


NOTE: For the the backing vocals group which performed with Elvis Presley use Imperials !