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The Imperials began working with Elvis Presley in 1967 on the 'How great thou art' album and continued with him through 1971. They backed Elvis on stage from 1969 to late 1971. The members known for performing on stage with Elvis are Terry Blackwood, Greg Gordon, Armond Morales, Jim Murray, Roger Wiles and Joe Moscheo.

That's The Way It Is

He Touched Me

Live Recordings

Studio Sessions

Elvis Links

In 1969, The Imperials opened with Elvis Presley at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, now known as the Las Vegas Hilton.

Elvis Presley received 14 Grammy nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). His three wins were for gospel recordings :

• * the album How Great Thou Art (1967; Best sacred performance)

• * the album He Touched Me (1972; Best inspirational performance)

• * his live Memphis concert recording of the song How Great Thou Art (1974; Best inspirational performance)

Elvis received a fourth Grammy Award nomination for You'll Never Walk Alone (1968; Best Sacred Performance).

The Grammy Award is the most sought after, and grand prize in the music business worldwide. Every year the Recording Academy hands out these Grammies, on their worldwide televised broadcast, to honor artistic and technical achievement. The jury is comprised of artists and technical experts in each field of music. 

Elvis' gospel albums are among the biggest selling gospel albums of all time, for example : 'How Great Thou Art' (RIAA multi-platinum), 'His Hand In Mine' (RIAA platinum), 'He Touched Me' (RIAA platinum), 'Peace In The Valley' (RIAA platinum), 'You'll Never Walk Alone' (RIAA platinum), 'Amazing Grace - His Greatest Sacred Performances' (RIAA multi-platinum).

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In 1971, NARAS also recognized Elvis with their Lifetime Achievement Award. Elvis was 36 years old at the time.

Five of Elvis' recordings have been inducted into the NARAS Hall of Fame :

• * his original 1956 recording of Hound Dog (inducted 1988)
• * his original 1956 recording of Heartbreak Hotel (inducted 1995)
• * his original 1954 recording of That's All Right (inducted 1998)
• * his original 1969 recording of Suspicious Minds (inducted 1999)
• * his original 1956 recording of Don't Be Cruel (inducted 2002)

On November 27, 2001 Elvis was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame during a ceremony at The People's Church South of Nashville. He was represented by three performers who backed him as part of gospel quartets : (from left to right) Ed Enoch from J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, Gordon Stoker from The Jordanaires, Jack Soden of Graceland and Joe from the Imperials.

In 1998, The Imperials reunited to participate in 'Elvis The Concert', the stage show that featured Presley's voice and likeness on a large video screen, accompanied by musicians who once performed on stage with the singer.