Sons of Truth
(Bill Spivery)
People Are Talking About Watergate
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Agency Recording Studios
Cleveland, Ohio
1973
(issued on Dee-Jay Records)
The Agency Recording Studios 1730 East 24th Street, Cleveland, Ohio were located above the Agora Theatre and managed by William C. Noyes
Gospel, r&b singer-songwriter, Bill Spivery, whose song “Operator” was made famous by the Manhattan Transfer, died in 2004. He was 73.
He wrote “Operator” in the 1950s. It had the catchy refrain: “Operator, information, give me Jesus on the line.” The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 2002 film, “Phone Booth.”
Spivery lived in the Cleveland area since the early 1950s. He held various day jobs while pursuing a musical career. He performed with three groups: the Friendly Brothers, the Sons of Truth and Bill Spivery and the Operators. He also sang at churches throughout the Midwest and appeared on show bills with Diana Ross, Leslie Gore and Bobby Womack.
In 1964, Spivery wrote and recorded “Mr. John” in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy. It became a regional hit, reaching No. 3 on local charts behind the Beatles and the Dave Clark Five.
He also wrote “Non-Violent Man,” a musical tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Sons Of Truth
From the book Cleveland's Gospel Music by Frederick Burton
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