Slim & the Supreme Angels
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee , United States |
| Products | Gospel music albums |
Number of employees | Various members over time |
The Supreme Angels was a traditional black gospel ensemble originating from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Established in 1953 by a group of young ministers, the band later welcomed Reverend Howard "Slim" Hunt from Walnut Grove, Mississippi in the 1960s as their guitarist. After the original ministers departed to serve as church pastors, Rev. Hunt assumed the role of lead vocalist and rebranded the group as Slim & the Supreme Angels. Eventually, Robert "Sugar" Hightower, hailing from DeLand, Florida and formerly associated with The Hightower Brothers and the Mighty Clouds of Joy, joined as both guitarist and singer. Other significant contributors included Quincy King (vocals), Larry Young (vocals and keyboards), Michael Kimpson (vocals and bass), and Maurice Robinson (drums and vocals).
Across their 51-year career, the group produced seventeen albums released through various labels such as Melendo Records, Nashboro Records, Black Label Records, Intersound Records, MCG Records, Gospel Jubilee, Malaco Records, and Grammercy Records. They achieved chart success with three albums on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart: Death and the Beautiful Lady (1989), Stay under the Blood (1995), and Nobody but You (1996).
Background
Reverend Howard "Slim" Hunt was raised in a farming household in Walnut Grove, Mississippi. At age 17, he briefly worked on a riverboat steamer in New Orleans before relocating to Milwaukee in 1953 to pursue plumbing work. By 1956, while employed as a candy maker, Hunt became a guitarist for The Supreme Angels. The original ensemble had been formed by local ministers Rev. Herman Pryor, Rev. Floyd Taylor, and Brother Earl Woods. As these founders left to lead churches, Hunt took over leadership duties and expanded the group's membership to include Robert "Sugar" Hightower (guitar and vocals), Gregory Kelly (vocals), Patrick Atkinson Sr. (tenor vocals), Michael Boykin (vocals and keyboards), Quincy King (vocals and keyboards), Larry Young (keyboards and vocals), Michael Kimpson (bass and vocals), and Maurice Robinson (drums and vocals).
In 1986, Hunt established Deliverance Temple in Dillon, South Carolina, later founding Deliverance Temple Church of God in Christ located in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He remained active in both ministry and touring until his passing on February 25, 2007. Following his death, leadership transitioned to Robert "Sugar" Hightower, who also passed away on August 24, 2010, in Goldsboro.
History
Between 1956 and 2007, the group issued seventeen albums under labels including Melendo Records, Nashboro Records, Black Label Records, Intersound Records, MCG Records, Gospel Jubilee, Malaco Records, and Grammercy Records. Three of these records attained positions on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart: Death and the Beautiful Lady reached No. 14 in 1989; Stay under the Blood peaked at No. 16 in 1995; and Nobody but You climbed to No. 36 in 1996.
Members
- Reverend Howard "Slim" Hunt (December 13, 1934 – February 25, 2007) – vocals
- Robert "Sugar" Hightower (December 17, 1948 – August 24, 2010) – guitar, vocals
- Greg Kelly – vocals
- Daniel (Scotty) Scott (1942–1991)
- Patrick Atkinson Sr. – vocals
- Michael Boykin – vocals, keyboards
- Michael Kimpson – bass guitar, vocals
- Quincy King – keyboards
- William Manning – vocals
- Rev Floyd Taylor – vocals
- C.D. Hall – vocals
- Al Dent – guitar
- Kevin Wilson – guitar
- Kevin Cloud – bass guitar
- Joey Williams – guitar
- Bob Evans – keyboards
- Tom Eaddy
- Tommy Seymore (September 1, 1943 – April 4, 2010) – vocals
- Rev Shank Robinson (November 11, 1939 – May 10, 2020) – lead vocals
- JR Rideout – tenor
Discography
| Album Title | Album Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Gospel | ||
| Death and the Beautiful Lady |
|
14 |
| Stay under the Blood |
|
16 |
| Nobody but You |
|
36 |