Alex Bradford

about

Professor Alex Bradford (January 23, 1927 – February 15, 1978) was a multi-talented gospel composer, singer, arranger and choir director, who was a great influence on artists such as Little Richard, Bob Marley and Ray Charles and who helped bring about the modern mass choir movement in gospel. Born in Bessemer, Alabama, USA, he first appeared on stage at the age of four, then joined a children's gospel group at thirteen, soon obtaining his own radio show. He organized another group after his mother sent him to New York City following a racial incident; he continued singing after returning to attend the Snow Hill Institute in Snow Hill, Alabama, where he acquired the title "Professor" while teaching as a student. He moved to Chicago in 1947, where he worked briefly with Roberta Martin and toured with Mahalia Jackson, then struck out on his own with his own group, the Bradford Singers, followed by another group, the Bradford Specials. He recorded his first hit record, "Too Close To Heaven" (1954), billed as Professor Alex Bradford and his singers, sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc, then followed it with a number of other successes in the rest of the decade. Artists such as Little Richard imitated Bradford's energetic style, ranging from a gravelly bass to a whooping falsetto, and his flamboyant stage presence. Ray Charles, for his part, not only borrowed some of Bradford's vocal mannerisms but based his Raelets on the Bradford Specials. His 1962 gospel

top songs

albums

Rainbow In The Sky

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The Essential Gospel Sampler

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The History of Rhythm & Blues, Volume 3 - The Rocknroll Years

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Too Close

One Step & Angel On Vacation

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Great Day Coming (50 Gospel Greats) - Disc One

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Greatest Gospel Gems

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Gospel Music Anthology: Alex Bradford (Digitally Remastered)

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Best of Gospel CD1

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The Specialty Story

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Best of Gospel

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The History Of Rhythm & Blues, Volume 3, The Rocknroll Years

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