A smiling, elderly gentleman slowly made his way to the choir stand and sat down at the piano. He made himself comfortable and began to play beautiful, cascading arpeggios that filled the air with pleasant memories.
“We’re gonna take you back and sing some of the songs that made us famous,” said the smiling gentleman.
The gentleman playing those beautiful melodies was none other than the venerable Edgar O’Neal, who, along with his late brother, Edward O’Neal, formed the legendary O’Neal Twins.
The O’Neal Twins played a huge role in the evolution of gospel music in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The duo penned such hits as “I’d Trade a Lifetime,” “Everyday With Jesus,” “I Can’t Let A Day Go By” and “Broken Vessel.”
Last Saturday, March 19, the St. Louis gospel music community celebrated the induction of the O’Neal Twins into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame, an honor for any gospel artist and a rare one for a gospel artist from St. Louis.
The celebration took place at the Kossuth Church of God in Christ, 3801 Clarence Avenue, where Elder Robert Strong is the pastor.
The gala affair featured a virtual who’s who in the St. Louis gospel music community. Malcolm Speed, Dr. Doris Wilson, Zelda Price, Austin Layne, Mary Beth Gentry, Dello Thedford, Columbus Gregory, Eula Flowers and many others joined in to laud their musical mentors and gospel pioneers.
Edgar serenaded the enthusiastic audience with “He Chose Me,” backed by the Eastern Missouri Interfaith Choir, which he and his brother formed some 30 years ago. The crowd came to its feet as Edgar belted out the inspirational, “Jesus Dropped The Charges.”
Choirs, singers and musicians who paid musical tribute also included The Kossuth Church of God in Christ Mixed Choir, the Eastern Missouri/Western Illinois Interfaith Choir, The Faith United Methodist Church Choir, Mary Beth Gentry and Michael O’Hara.
A litany of well-wishers gave accolades to the O’Neal Twins’ lasting legacy. Church leaders such as Bishop William Fitzpatrick, pastor of the Faith United Methodist Church, Father Rick Potts of the St. Alphonus Liguori “Rock” Catholic Church and Dr. Josephus Bingham of the Glad Tidings Bible College gave testimonies regarding how the O’Neal Twins’ music ministry effected their lives and the lives of others around them.
In addition to praise from the St. Louis gospel music community, honors from the St. Louis civic community poured in as well.
Faith O’Hara-Thomas read an aldermanic proclamation recognizing the O’Neal Twins’ achievement, which was signed by several prominent aldermen and alderwomen in St. Louis wards. Fire Chief Sherman George, also offered words of congratulation and inspiration.
Mrs. Leon O’Hara, wife of the late Rev. Leon O’Hara of the “Holy” Metropolitan Church, shared some extremely personal information.
“I was one of their first babysitters, and I tried to change their diapers, but I mostly got in the way,” said O’Hara.
Another personal friend, the Rev. Donald Hunter, added more in-depth historicity to the occasion.
“I go a long way back with the O’Neal Twins. The first time they went to California, I drove them there. They helped me get my life together as a young man, right here in this church,” said Hunter.
The tribute was the brainchild of Robert Strong, pastor of the Kossuth Church of God in Christ. Edgar’s wife Lillian and Ruth Latchison-Nichols co-chaired the event. A host of family and friends attended the tribute as well as Edward’s widow, Betty.
The event was a well-deserved tribute which was long overdue.