Claude Jeter facts for kids

Claude A. Jeter (born October 26, 1914 – died January 6, 2009) was an American gospel music singer. He started out working in coal mines in Kentucky. Jeter formed a group that became one of the most famous gospel quartets after World War II, called the Swan Silvertones. He was also a member of the Dixie Hummingbirds for a time.

Early Life

Claude Jeter was born in Montgomery, Alabama on October 26, 1914. When he was eight years old, his father passed away. Claude and his family then moved to Kentucky. As a teenager, he found work in the coal mines in West Virginia.

A Career in Music

The Swan Silvertones

In 1938, Claude Jeter started a group called the Four Harmony Kings. His brother and two other coal miners were also in the group. Later, they changed their name to the Silvertone Singers. A radio show in Knoxville, Tennessee hired the group. This show was sponsored by the local Swan Bakery. Because of this, the group was renamed the Swan Silvertones.

Jeter was well-known for his special singing voice, called a falsetto. This means he could sing very high notes. His smooth, high melodies were different from the deeper voices of the other group members. The Swan Silvertones recorded music for several companies. Even though they were very influential, they never became rich from their music.

In the 1950s, the group was very popular. Their music style was similar to the popular rhythm and blues (R&B) groups of that time. Claude Jeter received many offers to sing R&B or rock and roll music. However, he turned them all down. He said he had promised his mother he would always sing for God.

Inspiring Other Musicians

Claude Jeter's singing inspired many later artists. For example, parts of his performances in songs like "Careless Soul" and "Saviour Pass Me Not" influenced singers such as Al Green and Eddie Kendricks from The Temptations.

A line from his 1959 version of the traditional spiritual song "Mary Don't You Weep" also inspired Paul Simon. The line was, "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in my name." This line led Paul Simon to write his famous 1970 song "Bridge over Troubled Water". Jeter explained that his line was based on a Bible verse.

Paul Simon later asked Jeter to sing on his 1973 music album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon. Jeter sang the high background vocals on the song "Take Me to the Mardi Gras." Paul Simon also gave Jeter a check for $1,000. This was to thank him for inspiring "Bridge over Troubled Water."

Solo Album

In 1971, a writer named Anthony Heilbut wrote a book about gospel music. Later, in 1991, Heilbut produced Yesterday and Today. This was Claude Jeter's only solo music album.

Later Years and Legacy

Claude Jeter lived in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City for many years. Later, he moved to a nursing home due to a fire in his building. Even with difficulty moving around, he still went to local gospel events. A friend, Spencer Jarrett, helped him attend. In 2005, Jeter received a special award for his whole career in Birmingham, Alabama. This award was from the American Gospel Quartet Convention.

In his final years, many friends visited Reverend Jeter in Harlem. These included Anthony Heilbut, radio personality Virginia Cotton, and Paul Simon.

Jeter passed away on January 6, 2009, at the age of 94. He died at the Daughters of Jacob Nursing Home in the Bronx.

In May 2009, Jerry Lawson and James Power released a song honoring Jeter. It was called "The Man in Room 1009." The song celebrates Jeter's music and legacy. It refers to his final room at the nursing home.

Discography

• Yesterday And Today (1988)