James Phelps, former leader of the Soul Stirrers and founder of the Clefs of Calvary, died Tuesday, October 26, 2010 from complications of diabetes in Inglewood, CA. Phelps was 78 years old. According to the Associated Press, Phelps was born in Shreveport, LA, and moved to Chicago as a teen. Phelps sang with several groups such as the Gospel Songbirds, the Holy Wonders, and the Soul Stirrers before founding the Clefs of Calvary. In 1965, Phelps recorded the soul hit, "Love Is a Five Letter Word."
NYT Article on Phelps' death: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/arts/music/28phelps.html
Phelps with the Soul Stirrers in 1964
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