Baptist Minister, Gospel Music Producer
1936-2008
In 1953, Rev. Dr. Lawrence C. Roberts became the first black gospel record company producer in the United States. His tireless efforts enabled Savoy Record Company to become a totally gospel label ending its rhythm and blues status. Rev. Roberts produced some of America’s greatest gospel artists: the Clara Ward Singers, Alex Bradford, James Cleveland, the Roberta Martin Singers, Rosie Wallace, Mattie Moss Clark and the Choir of C.O.G.I.C., the O’Neal Twins, the Banks Brothers, Albertina Walker and the legendary Caravans, Dorothy Norwood, Sister Rosette Thorpe, and a host of others on the Savoy label. He also worked with the Father of Gospel, Thomas Dorsey, Sallie Martin, the Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson, and in later years, Cissy Houston and Queen Latifah.
Rev. Roberts was born August 12, 1936 in Newark, NJ, to the late James and Estelle Roberts. Raised in a loving and nurturing environment by his grandparents George and Annabelle Holmes, he attended the Newark Public Schools graduating from the prestigious Arts High School. He met the love of his life, Dolores “Bootsy” Pigford, at the age of twelve. Several years later they were married and raised three children, Derrick, Vanessa and Renee. Rev. Roberts had a love for gospel music at an early age. As an eleven-year-old he played for his first choir at the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Newark, NJ.
In 1957, Rev. Roberts was called into the preaching ministry. In 1959 he accepted the call of the First Baptist Church of Nutley, NJ, to become their pastor. He served as pastor for 38 years. He organized one of America’s most famous choirs, the “Angelic Choir, at the church.” During his tenure, he collaborated with the Rev. James Cleveland to produce 14 of the greatest gospel music albums ever recorded. “Peace Be Still” and “Stood on the Banks” were among them. As a gospel innovator, in 1960, Rev. Roberts introduced the world to the first live in church recording. For his efforts he received the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers Award. He authored more than 100 songs. Among them were “I Had a Talk with God Last Night,” “He’s Always Doing Something Good for Me,” “Stood on the Banks of Jordan” and “He’s Still Working on Me.”
Rev. Roberts and his Angelic Choir traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. His ministry touched the lives of millions both in the world of religion as well as those in the secular world. He shared the stage with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Roberta Flack, Sammy Davis Jr., Alvin Ailey and the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and the great Ray Charles.
In 1967 he became the life-long friend and confidant of tobacco heiress Doris Duke. Rev. Roberts responded to her request for tutoring in gospel music by encouraging her to join the choir at the First Baptist Church in Nutley. She did and toured with them from 1968 through the mid-1970s when her presence within the group began to attract unwanted media attention. Their friendship endured until her death in 1994.
Rev. Roberts made his mark as a singer, songwriter, organist and pianist. He retired from the mainstream of gospel as a traveling artist in 1992. Twenty-nine albums, numerous awards and citations provided him an abundance of joy and gratification and enabled him to continue his work in serving God and the people of God. Rev. Roberts performed on the soundtrack for the movie “Sleeping with Anger” starring Danny Glover. He was organist on Sister Rosetta Thorpe’s final album. He lectured on gospel music at high schools, universities, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. In 1998, Rev. Roberts was appointed spiritual advisor for Jubilation the house choir of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. In 2002, he and his grandson, also named Lawrence, joined Jubilation for a musical tour of Japan. That same year, he recorded “Somebody Saved Me” with Jubilation on their NJPAC compact disk entitled “Spirit.” In 2005, he was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Detroit, MI.
His widow, Dolores Roberts commented, “Anyone who knew him understood he was better than blessed. He obtained success and fame, yet he remained humble. All children and young adults referred to him as ‘Uncle Lawrence.’ He had a wonderful rapport with them.”
His autobiography, “The Gospel Truth,” was published by Dorrance Publishing Company in 1993. A second book, “Gospel through the Eyes of Rev. Lawrence C. Roberts” was written and published by Birdie Wilson Johnson, Ph.D., in 2000.
Rev. Roberts and his family relocated to Stone Mountain, GA, in 1995. There, the Victory Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel, became his church home.
Rev. Roberts’ positive outlook on life is reflected in his statement, “I expect the very best. My positive expectations draw to me the blessings that have already been prepared for me, because my God has promised to supply all of my needs according to his riches in glory. God has blessed my going out and my coming in. I live happy, safe, secure, protected, prosperous and healthy. I am free from fear; for God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. All that has happened has happened because greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.”
Rev. Roberts is survived by his wife, Dolores; his son, Derrick Gwendolyn; two daughters, Vanessa Darryl Walker and Renee Stanley Whitney; two sisters, Debbie and Jennifer; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. (Sources: Mrs. Dolores Roberts; “The Star-Ledger,” 1/1/2009; www.nj.com, 7/15/2008; “The Nutley Sun,” 11/4/1993; “The Star-Ledger,” 4/16/1996; www.allmusic.com, 2/19/2009; International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum, www.igmhfm.org, 2/17/2009).