George Younce was one of the most celebrated and influential bass singers in Southern gospel music history. He was best known for his long and successful career with The Cathedrals, a quartet that he co-founded with Glen Payne in 1964. He also performed with other groups such as the Homeland Harmony Quartet, The Weatherfords, the Florida Boys, and the Blue Ridge Quartet. He recorded over 100 albums, wrote several songs, and won numerous awards and honors for his contributions to gospel music. He was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and was named the Living Legend of Gospel Music in 1988.
The Early Life and Career of George Younce
George Wilson Younce was born on February 22, 1930, in Patterson, North Carolina. He was the youngest of four siblings. His father was his biggest influence when young Younce decided he wanted to be a singer. At the age of 15, he received his first taste of Southern gospel music when he listened to radio programs featuring the Blue Ridge Quartet. He joined his first quartet, the Spiritualaires, as a teenager. When his voice changed during puberty, he switched to the bass part that he would sing for the rest of his life.
Over the next decade, he traveled with various groups such as the Homeland Harmony Quartet, The Weatherfords, the Florida Boys, and the Blue Ridge Quartet. He developed his distinctive style of bass singing, which combined power, range, humor, and emotion. He also became known for his witty and charming personality on stage.
The Formation and Success of The Cathedrals
In September 1963, Younce joined the Cathedral Trio, which was the official vocal group of Rex Humbard’s Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio. In November 1964, he teamed up with lead singer Glen Payne, tenor Bobby Clark, and baritone/piano player Danny Koker to form the Cathedral Quartet out of the Cathedral Trio. They toured the world for 36 years, becoming one of the most popular and respected quartets in Southern gospel music.
Younce and Payne were the anchors of the group, providing stability and leadership through many personnel changes. They also developed a close friendship and a musical chemistry that was evident in their harmonies and duets. Some of their most famous songs include “Step Into The Water”, “Boundless Love”, “Champion Of Love”, “I’ve Just Started Living”, and “Suppertime”.
Younce performed on various platforms such as the Gaither Homecoming Tour, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Billy Graham Crusades. He also appeared on television shows such as the Rex Humbard Hour, the Gospel Singing Jubilee, the Bill Gaither Homecoming Hour, NBC’s Today Show, The Nashville Network, Prime Time Country, and The Statler Brothers Show.
He was a 14-time recipient of the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Southern Gospel Bass Singer. He also wrote several Southern gospel songs such as “Yesterday”, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”, and “Thanks To Calvary”.
The Solo Projects and Retirement of George Younce
In 1998, Younce recorded his first solo project titled “Day By Day”. It was nominated for a Dove Award in the Southern Gospel Album of the Year category. He recorded two more solo projects: “I Believe” in 1999 and “Poetic Reflections” in 2004. The latter was also a Dove Award nominee.
With the death of his long-time friend and partner Glen Payne in October 1999, and Younce’s failing kidneys, The Cathedrals retired in December 1999. They held their farewell concert at Akron Civic Center on December 31st.
In the fall of 2000, Younce appeared for the first time without The Cathedrals as a solo performer in Parkersburg, West Virginia on a show called “An Evening with George Younce and Ernie Haase”. Ernie Haase was a former tenor of The Cathedrals who later formed his own group Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Younce also performed with them occasionally as a guest artist.
The Death and Legacy of George Younce
Younce suffered from heart trouble as well as kidney failure, and was on dialysis during the last years of his life. He died on April 11, 2005 at Akron City Hospital in Ohio. He was survived by his wife Clara, whom he married on April 27th 1955; his daughters Gina (Rick) Eroskey and Lisa (Ernie) Haase; his son George Lane; his grandchildren; and his great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two daughters: Dana Lynn Younce Wills and Tara Younce Aidala.
His funeral was held on April 19th at the Akron Baptist Temple. It was attended by 1,500 people and featured performances by various Southern gospel artists such as the Gaither Vocal Band, The Hoppers, The Isaacs, The Martins, and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Gloria Gaither said of Younce: “He taught us to laugh until you cry, live until you’re free … and not to save face, but save relationships.”
Younce is widely regarded as one of the greatest bass singers of all time, and one of the most beloved personalities in gospel music. He left behind a legacy of music, humor, faith, and love that continues to inspire and touch many lives. According to Wikipedia, he was “one of those once-in-a-lifetime spirits. He always left the room lighter because of his presence and his spirit.”
