The Cathedrals

A prolific southern American gospel group (also known as the Cathedral Quartet) the Cathedrals’ career stretched from 1965-99. In the 60s the group was known for the comedic vocal interplay between bass singer George Younce and alto Glen Payne (d. 15 October 1999). Appearing on Rex Humbard’s Cathedral Of Tomorrow radio show, Payne and Younce originally performed with Humbard before expanding to a quartet with the addition of Bobby Clark and Danny Koker. However, once the latter pair left in 1979 the Cathedrals substituted members as necessary around the core of Payne and Younce. The group continued to appear on Humbard’s show until 1969 before setting out on their own path. They became one of the most popular southern gospel groups and their persistence was rewarded when they won their first Grammy in 1977 for Best Gospel Performance. They repeated the feat in 1978, 1979 and 1982, as well as drawing a clutch of Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. They also performed regularly at Bill Gaither’s Praise Gathering For Believers shows. The decision to retire the group in 1999 was prompted by Payne’s death from liver cancer. Younce, alongside members Scott Fowler (baritone), Roger Bennett (piano) and Ernie Haase (tenor) fulfilled their remaining contracted performances, although Younce admitted that ‘the hardest thing I ever had to do was walk on that stage without him.’ The career postscript, A Farewell Celebration, paired the group with the Oak Ridge Boys, Sandi Patty and the Gaither Vocal Band, and was recorded at a concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.