We lost a great baritone singer and pianist earlier in the week.

Danny Koker, original baritone and pianist for the Cathedral Quartet, passed away in Las Vegas.

Alan Kendall has written a fine biography of this great gospel artist at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion site. Click here to read the details.

© CMG SGMRadio.com 2008

I strongly agree with Alan when he used the word "underrated" to describe Danny Koker. I have always thought of him to be one of the top 5 pianist's ever to play a note in gospel music. It's amazing to listen those early Cathedral Quartet lp's and realize that he not only played like that, but he sang at the same time.

George Younce once told me that as great as Danny was, he never ever saw him practice. He was also an excellent accordian player, and played background on recordings by such groups as the Gospel Harmony Boys and Couriers.

I consider the 60's to be the "Golden Age" of gospel music, so it's very sad for me to see so many of the pioneers from that era passing on.

I am so sorry about Danny Koker`s passing. The first time I ever saw The Cathedrals in person Danny was baritone/pianist/MC.

I remember a concert in Huntington, WV - not long after the Cathedral Qt went on the road. They had finished their set and the emcee (Ransom Fry) asked Danny and the group to sing "Out of the Depths" -- what an artist!

Dean

I also saw the Cathedrals in Huntington, WV. It was in the summer of '67. What a group! Danny Koker was the most talented member of this great quartet. He was actually one of the best baritones in gospel music history and in the top 2 or 3 pianist ever. Should be in the Hall of Fame along with Bobby Clark. The Catherdals were never as good after Koker and Clark left. And the recordings this group made are in a class that have only been reached by maybe 1 or 2 other quartets. Koker was most responsible for this.