The Chambers Brothers broke musical boundaries in the 1960s. Blending gospel roots with folk, soul, and psychedelic rock, they created a sound all their own. Their explosive hit “Time Has Come Today” became a defining anthem of the era. But behind the music was a story of perseverance, family, and creative risk-taking.
| The Chambers Brothers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mississippi, USA |
| Formed | Early 1950s (active commercially from mid-1960s) |
| Genres | Psychedelic soul, gospel, funk, blues rock |
| Main Members | Lester, Joe, Willie, George Chambers |
| Notable Additions | Brian Keenan (drums), John Castellano (guitar) |
| Breakout Song | “Time Has Come Today” (1968) |
| Top Songs | “Time Has Come Today,” “Funky,” “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” “Shout!” |
| Labels | Columbia Records, Vault Records, Folkways |
| Years Active | 1950s–1972, with later reunions |
From Church Choirs to the Stage
The Chambers Brothers—Lester, Joe, Willie, and George—grew up in Mississippi. They first sang together in their local Baptist church choir. Their harmonies were deeply rooted in gospel traditions.
In 1952, George was drafted into the U.S. Army, briefly halting their group efforts. After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles. The other brothers joined him there, and they began performing gospel and folk music at clubs like The Ash Grove.
Their breakthrough came in 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival. Their powerful and unexpected fusion of gospel intensity with electric instrumentation stunned the crowd. This performance opened doors.
Enter Brian Keenan and New Directions
The group added a drummer—Brian Keenan, a white musician from New York. His addition completed the band’s signature lineup and helped solidify their rhythmic, genre-blending sound.
Their first studio album, People Get Ready, was released in 1966 on Vault Records. It featured covers and originals influenced by gospel, folk, and blues. Around the same time, they also collaborated with folk artist Barbara Dane on a record for Folkways Records.
“Time Has Come Today” – Their Breakthrough
In 1967, now signed with Columbia Records, The Chambers Brothers released The Time Has Come. The album included their most famous track: “Time Has Come Today.”
Written by Joe and Willie Chambers, this 11-minute psychedelic epic featured echoing vocal loops, distorted guitars, and Keenan’s unconventional percussion. The track became a cultural touchstone, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968.
Its impact was massive:
-
It captured the urgency of the civil rights and antiwar movements.
-
It blurred lines between soul, rock, and psychedelia.
-
It remains one of the most iconic songs of the 1960s.
More Chart Success
Following the success of “Time Has Come Today,” the group released more albums and singles:
A New Time – A New Day (1968)
-
Included a Top 40 hit with their version of Otis Redding’s “I Can’t Turn You Loose.”
New Generation (1970)
-
Featured “Funky”, a rhythmic track that hit #34 on the R&B charts.
Other Singles
-
“Shout!” – A fiery cover of The Isley Brothers’ classic.
-
“Are You Ready” – Another popular performance piece.
While none of these matched the runaway success of “Time Has Come Today,” they reinforced the band’s reputation as powerful live performers and innovative studio artists.
Confusion and Misinformation
In 1970, confusion arose about the group’s label affiliations and members:
-
Record World mistakenly reported that the band had signed with American International Records. This was due to Judd Hamilton, a singer who attended an AIR party.
-
The magazine issued a correction: The Chambers Brothers were still signed to Columbia, and Hamilton was not a member.
Later, Cashbox magazine confused Cliff Chambers, a solo artist, with the group. He was incorrectly listed as a member after signing with Kent Records. Industry figure Charles LaMarr had to clarify that the only true band members were Joseph, George, Willie, and Brian Keenan.
A New Guitarist: John Castellano
During a 1971–1972 tour, the group added guitarist John Castellano. His joining has an unusual backstory. The band met him through his mother—a clothing designer who had also made outfits for Jimi Hendrix.
They heard John playing guitar at her shop and were impressed enough to bring him into the fold. Castellano added new layers to the group’s live performances.
The Decline and Breakup
Despite their talent, The Chambers Brothers faced major setbacks:
-
Mismanagement drained their finances.
-
Keenan left the band in 1971.
-
They recorded an album titled Oh, My God! which was never released.
By 1972, the group officially disbanded.
Later Reunions and Solo Paths
The group didn’t stay apart forever. In 1974, they returned with Unbonded. A year later came Right Move (1975). Neither album gained major attention, but they continued to perform live occasionally.
The brothers then followed separate paths:
-
George Chambers returned to gospel music and served as a deacon.
-
Willie and Joe worked as session musicians.
-
Lester moved to New York and launched his own band.
-
Brian Keenan left music to become a carpenter. He passed away in 1985 due to heart failure.
Film and Cultural Influence
Even decades later, The Chambers Brothers’ music continues to appear in:
-
Film soundtracks (e.g., Coming Home, The Zodiac)
-
TV series and commercials
-
Civil rights retrospectives
“Time Has Come Today” remains a favorite for its gritty, timeless energy and political resonance.
Popular Songs
Here are some of The Chambers Brothers’ most well-known tracks:
-
Time Has Come Today
-
Funky
-
I Can’t Turn You Loose
-
Shout! – Part 1
-
Are You Ready
-
Wake Up
-
Love, Peace, and Happiness
-
Let’s Do It
-
Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go
-
Uptown
Discography
Studio Albums:
-
People Get Ready (1966, Vault)
-
Now! (1966, Vault)
-
Barbara Dane and the Chambers Brothers (1966, Folkways)
-
The Time Has Come (1967, Columbia)
-
A New Time – A New Day (1968, Columbia)
-
Feelin’ the Blues (1969, Columbia)
-
New Generation (1970, Columbia)
-
Unbonded (1974, Avco)
-
Right Move (1975, Roxbury)
Conclusion
The Chambers Brothers were more than just a one-hit wonder. They were trailblazers who brought together soul, gospel, funk, and psychedelia in bold new ways. Their music spoke to the times—and still speaks today.
From Mississippi church choirs to the national stage, they forged a path for future artists of color in rock music. The time came for The Chambers Brothers in the 1960s. And thanks to their unforgettable sound, that time has never fully passed.