The Caravans
The Caravans were a popular American gospel group formed in 1947 in Chicago by Robert Anderson. They started as Anderson’s backing vocalists and later became a leading gospel act known for tight harmonies and strong solo spots.
In 1952, after Nellie Grace Daniels and Albertina Walker joined, the group dropped Anderson’s name and became The Caravans, with Walker often taking the lead. The band launched the careers of many gospel stars, including Delores Washington, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Shirley Caesar and the Rev. James Cleveland (pianist and arranger). The lineup changed frequently through the 1950s and 1960s; the most stable period was 1962–1966, when the group included Washington, Walker, Caesar, George, James Herndon and Josephine Howard. They also appeared on TV shows such as TV Gospel Time and Jubilee Showcase.
Some of the notable members and their tenures: Bessie Griffin (1953), Cassietta George (1953–55, 1960–61, 1962–66), Dorothy Norwood (1955–57), Inez Andrews (1957–62, 1966–67), Albertina Walker (1952–66) and Shirley Caesar (1958–66). The Caravans helped shape gospel music with their close harmonies and opportunities for individual solo performances.
In 2006 Albertina Walker released a reunion album, Paved The Way, with The Caravans, on Malaco Records. The lineup for that project included Walker, Norwood, Andrews, Washington and guest Evelyn Turrentine-Agee. The album received strong praise and charted on Billboard; it earned nominations for Grammy, Dove and Soul Train awards. Albertina Walker died on October 8, 2010.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:09 (CET).