Sacred Four image gallery

The Sacred Four were organized in 1932 by Indianapolis high schoolers. In 1956, Junior Townsend became the group's manager and lead singer, a role he held for decades. Through the years other members included Leroy and Richard Davis, Mozell Sanders, Jerry Bond, James Turnbow, Fred Hardy, Jobie Bonds, and Wesley Bailey. They had close ties to Louisville quartets—Virge Ryland of The Golden Crowns was married to Townsend’s cousin—and recorded both an LP and a 45 featuring “Hymn Books and Bibles” for Sensational Sounds.