The Stars Of Faith

US gospel vocal group from Philadelphia that formed in 1958 from former members of the [a1612920]. In 1958, Marion Williams (1927–1994), Kitty Parham (1926–2003), Frances Steadman (1915–2009) and Esther Ford (* 1930) left the Clara Ward Singers to found their own group, primarily for financial reasons played (they were badly paid at the Ward Singers). The starting line-up also included Henrietta Waddy, who had also sung with Clara Ward. In 1960 Mattie Harper replaced Esther Ford, and in 1965 Marion Williams left the group to pursue a solo career. Frances Steadman then took over the leadership, whose daughter Sadie Keys also joined the group in 1968, as did Dorothy Blackwell in 1967 and singer Willie De John in 1968. In the following decades there were several changes in the line-up. The accompanist included Alfred Bolden (organ) in the group (as early as 1962) and the pianist Johnny Thompson (from 1966). In 1958 she made her first recording on Savoy Records. In 1962 they went on a world tour with the musical Black Nativity by Langston Hughes. In 1969 they toured Europe as well as in the 1970s and beyond. In 1963 they received a Rising Star Award in the Down Beat Critic Polls.