History 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

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