How do I find history on my father Louis Johnson gospel singer for Swan Slivertones and also family members?

Answer 1

Your question intriqued me so I have done a lot of research on it,but other than mentioning the group and more information on Claude Jeter it was difficult to trace other members of the band. During the time your father Louis 'Big Lou' Johnson joined the Swan Silverstones in 1955 your father had played some small town gigs and it is difficult to follow where he was. He obviously went through the Depression Era where he would have traveled from town to town like many other men and please, no offence in meant when I say that Black Americans were not well received and often ignored until your father joined the Swan Silverstones even though he was a wonderful tenor with a fantastic voice. I have some ideas where you may get information on your father's family (you may have more information than I anticipated):

• Your father's mother's name (your grandmother) was Machie (often people would get the name wrong and call her 'Maggie') and your grandfather was William Johnson.
• Your father was born October 7, 1929 in Wagener, South Carolina and passed away December 28, 1992.
• Your father had four brothers: Jim; Willie; Melvyn (aka: Mel Johnson who also played with the Swan Silverstones); and John all in Kentucky at the time.
• Claude Jeter started the group and hired your father in 1955. Then Claude Jeter became an ordained minister for Detroit's Church of Holiness Science (you may get some information from that church.) Unfortunately, Claude Jeter went blind and was in a retirement home and passed away at the age of 94 on January 6, 2009.
• Your father led Swan Silverstone in 1973 and put out an album: 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon.'
• One of the group of the band Paul Owens was at the UGHA's Hall of Fame on April 8, 1995 at the Symphony Space Performing Arts Center at 2537 Broadway, New York City (he was the only one to come forward for his award.) You may get some information about your father from Symphony Space Performing Arts Center. I tried to get more information on Paul Owens without success.
• Paul Owens (tenor) was hired by Claude Jeter in 1952 and your father (tenor) was hired in 1955.

Places to contact for more information:

• Bishop T.D. Jakes and he is on FaceBook. He knew your father and some of the others in the group.
• PastorIsaacLinsey@sbcglobal.net (email) and he also knew the group members and may shed some light on your father's background.
• Go to the library for birth; death; marriages (ask the librarian) and also newspapers in the entertainment section of the newspapers.
• You can also contact 'Public Records' online.
• If you can afford it you can join 'Ancestory.com'

I would appreciate it if you could message me (just hit my name) and let me know if you have more information. The 'Swan Silverstones' were a wonderful band and very popular right up until the 1970s. Good luck!