The Imperials is a southern gospel quartet who sang backup for Elvis from 1969-1971. They also recorded with Elvis in sessions from 1966-1971, including on the Grammy Award-winning How Great Thou Art and He Touched Me album sessions.
During the 1960s The Imperials became pioneers of contemporary Christian music. Armond Morales was a founding member of The Imperials and fondly remember the group going to Graceland, riding around in golf carts, attending movies after hours and riding on a plane with Elvis.
Armond recalls: We were in Las Vegas at the International Hotel, practicing, and all the singers were in one section and the rhythm section was in another area, and Elvis was in the middle with the microphone. In the middle of rehearsal he just stopped and stomped his foot. He said, "I don't know what's wrong with you people", and he stomped out the door. He said, "Armond come out here." And I walked out the door, wondering what was going on. Elvis said: "I scare them, didn't I?" Turns out he was just having fun and joking.
