I have had Brother Claude Ely's live gospel recording from 1953 for at least 15 years. Ely's nephew has now written a book about him, and NPR has a very interesting interview with the nephew.
"Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down" was written 1934, when Ely was 12 years old and was believed to be on his death bed. Brother Claude did not die then, but went on to be a successful Pentecostal Evangelist. Ely died in 1978, when he dropped dead of a heart attack as he was playing the organ and singing in front of his congregation.
He is Ely's 1953 recording of the song.
This was one of the last songs that Johnny Cash recorded. For more info about this video check out http://www.thejohnnycashproject.com/.
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The story on NPR on Brother Claude Ely was fantastic! Thanks for sharing it. I love Brother Claude Ely's style of music ... He truly was a raw singer that influenced so many great rock and roll pioneers. I read the biography on him just 2 weeks ago and didn't know the author was on NPR. This book would make an outstanding movie!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it, too. Thanks for sharing this story with us. Very cool blog. Long live Brother Claude Ely!!! :)
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