The Original Gospel Chimes

The Gospel Chimes started singing in the late 1950s, and their home base was Chicago, Illinois. Just who formed the group is a mystery, some sources claim James Cleveland, and others say Jessy Dixon. Both men were just starting to rise in the field of gospel, spreading their talents among the group as well as choirs. James and Jessy were a perfect match, they sang alike, both phrased in a modern quasi-pop manner on ballads. They were both composers' and wrote and arranged a number of the songs the group did. The harmonies they arranged for the Chimes mediated between 1950s gospel groups and the evolving choir sounds. The Chimes released four albums on the HOB label, before moving to the Savoy label, and in later years recorded on the Atlantic label. Some of the groups sessions also included Billy Preston and Alfred Bolden (Voices Of Tabernacle) on the organ. As with most gospel groups the personnel was always changing, the Gospel Chimes have included James Cleveland, Dorothy Norwood, Jessy Dixon, and Imogene Green (of the Davis Sisters and Caravans fame.) Two of the long stay members were Lee Charles Neeley and Claude O. Timmons. After his tenure with the Gospel Chimes, Lee Charles Neeley ventured into to the secular side of the music. His career lasted a few years and spawned a few minor hits for him during the late 60's and early 70s.