“Know ye not, that a prince and great man has fallen this day,…”
Brother Joseph "JoJo" Wallace has transitioned from this life, embraced a new existence, and has now joined our Lord at the age of 98, having dedicated 75 years to The Sensational Nightingales.
JoJo Wallace, a member of The Sensational Nightingales, represented the final connection to the illustrious era of gospel quartet music. His musical approach influenced numerous gospel and R&B guitarists. JoJo's cheerful demeanor had the ability to brighten any environment, making it seem as though he was already familiar with you upon your first encounter.
The Sensational Nightingales were formed in the 1940s and participated in the Gospel Train tour alongside The Clara Ward Singers and several other prominent gospel groups in 1957. The ensemble included Julius Cheeks (lead), Carl Coates (bass), JoJo Wallace (tenor), Howard Carroll (baritone), and Paul Gwens (tenor). Their well-known song was 'See How They Done My Lord.' As one of the pioneering gospel quintets, they recorded and performed throughout the 1990s. Many of their recordings from the 1950s and 1960s, available on MCA reissues, showcase the remarkable vocals of Rev. Julius Cheeks. Similar to Archie Brownlee, Cheeks delivers an intensity that alters the recordings, and his style has been significantly emulated by artists such as Bobby Bland and Wilson Pickett. The later works by Charles Johnson are more polished yet remain of exceptional quality.
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