The honors keep rolling in for Chattanooga natives and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1991) and Vocal Group Hall of Fame (2003) members Fred Cash and Sam Gooden.
A little over two weeks after being honored with a Tennessee Music Pathways sign in front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, the two members of The Impressions will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Olivet Baptist Church, 740 East M.L. King Blvd.
The celebration was the idea of Napoleon "Donut" Williams, a classmate of the two singers at Howard High School, and will be hosted by Pastor Kevin Adams.
Cash and Gooden left Chattanooga and moved to Chicago in the late 1950s along with brothers Richard and Arthur Brooks. They were soon joined by Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield and became The Impressions.
Their first hit, "For Your Precious Love," is considered a classic R&B/soul hit. After a series of personnel changes, Cash, Gooden and Mayfield continued to turn out hit records that also featured lyrics with a social conscience. Songs like "Keep on Pushing," "People Get Ready" and "It's All Right" were all anthems during the civil rights movement and continue to resonate today.
Mayfield left in 1970, but Cash and Gooden continued to tour, adding a string of singers to handle the lead vocals once sung by Mayfield.
They were actively recording and touring the world until their retirement a year ago. Both returned to live in Chattanooga with their families several years ago.
Gooden said during the Music Pathways dedication ceremonies that it meant a great deal to be honored in their home city with friends and family around to see it.
"We love Chattanooga," he said.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.