Arthur Brooks, a Chattanooga native and an original member of the R&B vocal group The Impressions, died Sunday after a long illness.
Brooks, along with brothers Richard Brooks and Sam Gooden, left Chattanooga for Chicago in 1955 to pursue a musical career. They performed here as Four Roosters and a Chick featuring the Brooks brothers, Fred Cash, and brother and sister Emanuel and Catherine Thomson.
In Chicago, the Brookses and Gooden met Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield and recorded "For Your Precious Love," which became their first hit in 1958. It was followed by "Come Back My Love" and "Love Me."
Butler left the group soon after and was replaced by Cash in 1961.
The Brookses left the group in 1962 and pursued writing and recording careers of their own. The Impressions continued as a trio with Mayfield, Gooden and Cash until 1970 when Mayfield left for a solo career.
"Arthur was the one who caused me to start making money," Richard said of his brother. "Once I hooked up with him, my luck changed. He inspired me."
Viewing will be Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home. The family will accept visitors from 4-6 p.m. The funeral will be held at the funeral home at 1 p.m. on Monday.