The Impressions

The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active from 1958 until 1983, whose repertoire included doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B. The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983. Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement. Personnel: Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960) Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970) Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983) Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962) Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962) Fred Cash (1960 - 1983) Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973) Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976) Nate Evans (1976 - 1979) Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983) Discography Albums 1963: The Impressions 1964: Keep on Pushing 1964: The Never Ending Impressions 1965: One by One 1965: People Get Ready 1966: Ridin' High 1967: The Fabulous Impressions 1968: We're a Winner 1968: This Is My Country 1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story 1969: The Versatile Impressions 1969: Amen 1970: Check out Your Mind! 1972: Times Have Changed 1973: Preacher Man 1974: Finally Got Myself Together 1974: Three the Hard Way 1975: First Impressions 1975: Sooner or Later 1976: It's About Time 1976: Originals 1976: Loving Power 1979: Come to My Party 1981: Fan the Fire