Jimmy Ellis and The Riverview Spiritual Singers Photos

Notes

The Riverview Spiritual Singers are a long-running group that originated in Riverview Baptist Church. Jimmy Ellis, the son of Riverview’s pastor Rev. Walter Ellis, was a longtime member of the group along with his wife, Mary Ellis, and her brother, Grover Williams, on guitar. Jimmy Ellis was an accomplished boxer and frequent sparring partner of his friend and fellow Louisville native Muhammad Ali. After Ali was stripped of his title for refusing the draft as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, the World Boxing Association staged an eight-man tournament to determine a new champion.Jimmy Ellis won the title in April 1968 and held it until February 1970. As Ellis gained fame, the Riverview Spiritual Singers came to be known as Jimmy Ellis and The Riverview Spiritual Singers. In 1969, while Ellis was the active WBA champion, the group released a self-titled LP on Atlantic Records. The Riverview Spiritual Singers are still active to this day.

You May Also Like

Rec

Come On Let's Shout / Don't Go Astray

Recording / 45
The Golden Crowns
1982
Wonderful
Rec

My Troubles Will Be Over

Recording / lp
Rev. Price King
Randy's Spiritual
Rec

On The Battlefield

Recording / lp
The Traveling Echoes
c. 1967
Jewel

Related Recordings

Rec

I've Come A Long Way

Recording / lp
Jimmy Ellis and the Riverview Spiritual Singers
1972
MJ Records
Rec

Take The Lord With You / I Don't Mind

Recording / 45
Jimmy Ellis and the Riverview Spiritual Singers
1968
Atlantic
Rec

Jimmy Ellis & The Riverview Spiritual Singers

Recording / lp
Jimmy Ellis and the Riverview Spiritual Singers
1969
Atlantic

Other Media

No other related media