Curtis Mayfield's People Get Ready
“People Get Ready,” a classic from 1965, highlights the incredible talent of Curtis Mayfield. This anthem, with its gospel vibes, perfectly captures a time of social and political awakening, showing how Mayfield’s songwriting is rooted in his personal beliefs. With a standout guitar solo, this track not only showcases Mayfield’s distinct sound but also reflects the spiritual essence of his religious background, making it a song that hits home on many fronts.
Curtis Mayfield, born in Chicago in 1942, kicked off his journey in the Cabrini Green Housing Projects, where music was all around him. His grandmother’s connection to the Traveling Soul Spiritualists’ Church and the lively Chicago electric blues scene inspired him from the get-go. At just seven, he stumbled upon a guitar in the cramped apartment he shared with his mother and six siblings, lighting a fire in him that would eventually change the music scene.
“People Get Ready” holds a special place among the powerful Black American freedom songs. Its train imagery evokes hope and a sense of journey, reminiscent of classics like “Wade in the Water” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” So impactful was the song that Martin Luther King Jr. called it the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, using its uplifting message to inspire marchers in tough times. Its cultural importance and lasting legacy earned it a spot in the National Recording Registry, ensuring that Mayfield’s work continues to inspire future generations.
Be a part of our celebration by supporting the Gospel Music Historical Society by purchasing 1, 2, or even 3 of our Christian T-shirts. Don’t miss out, call us at (216) 513-4668 or email us at gospelmusichs@gmail.com before supplies run out. Your support helps preserve the rich legacy of Cleveland’s gospel music and beyond. Tee's are $20.00
Interview Esqulaira LeSure, The Christian Brothers
GMHS In 1978, your father, the late Rev. David LeSure, envisioned a musical journey for you and your brothers, grounded in faith and guided by the Holy Spirit. Can you tell me how that vision led to the formation of The Christian Brothers?
Esqulaira LeSure: Absolutely. In 1978, my father, Rev. David LeSure, felt a strong call from the Holy Spirit to bring his sons together in ministry through music. Out of that vision, he founded and organized The Christian Brothers. From there, God opened doors for us to travel throughout Ohio and across the United States, sharing the stage with some of gospel music’s greats.
GMHS Over the years, you’ve shared platforms with major gospel artists. Who are some of the names that stand out in your memory?
Esqulaira LeSure: We’ve been blessed to appear with some incredible artists, Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Lee Williams, and The Canton Spirituals, just to name a few. Those experiences really helped shape who we are as a group.
GMHS The Christian Brothers have also received national recognition. Talk about some of the awards and honors you’ve received along the way.
Esqulaira LeSure:God has truly favored us. We received the American Gospel Quartet Convention’s New Artist Award, and in the new artist showcase, we were honored with a perfect score, which was a humbling moment for us. More recently, in 2023, we were nominated for a Stellar Award for “Gospel Quartet Artist of the Year.” That nomination meant a lot.
GMHS Let’s talk about your music. What does your discography look like so far?
Esqulaira LeSure:: Our catalog includes four singles: “Tell Heaven/Meeting,” “Heal the Land,” “Heavy Load,” and “He Rewrote My Story.” In addition to the singles, we’ve released several albums over the years, including “Dripping and Dropping,” “Heal the Land,” “All The Way,” “Dear Lord,” and “Restoration.” Each project represents a different season in our ministry and our walk with God.
GMHS Bring us up to date. Who makes up The Christian Brothers today, and what are you currently working on?
Esqulaira LeSure: Today, the Christian Brothers include the original members, myself, Rev. Esqulaira Le Sure, and my brother, Rev. Kelvin LeSure, along with Ellis Sims, Jerome Adams, Nate Ford, and our newest member, Dylan Lewis. We’re currently recording under the Millennial Sound Recording label and are preparing to release new music. We’re excited about what God is doing in this season and looking forward to sharing these new songs with the world.
Operator, Give me Jesus
“Operator, Give me Jesus on the Line.” Was recorded on Vee Jay Records in Chicago Illinois, and sung by Cleveland’s own, The Friendly Brothers. Bill Spivery sang lead; Jimmy Morris, Henry Hamilton, and Elder Willie McDonald sang background. Rev. Ralph Phillips played guitar and Al Duncan played drums. It’s been re-recorded by everyone from Tennessee Ernie Ford to Jessie Dixon, to the Manhattan Transfer, and most recently by a young Gospel Quartet, the Sons of Faith.
The song was originally written by William Bill Spivery, a Cleveland gospel quartet singer. When it was released in 1959, a copy ended up in the hands of Tim Hauser, then a young disc jockey from a Cleveland radio station. Almost 16 years later, his group, The Grammy-winning Manhattan Transfer, was putting together their first album for the Atlantic label. Hauser remembered the song and developed a stunning arrangement that became their biggest hit, reaching #22 on the pop chart in 1975. Unlike many Black songwriters in the past, Spivery wasn’t cheated out of his royalties. The Manhattan Transfer made a point of contacting Spivery and held a Hollywood banquet in his honor. The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the 2002 hit film “Phone Booth.”