I have to go back more years than I care to admit to remember the first time I ever saw Herschel Lester. It was an Easter Sunday morning at the Lincoln Avenue Church of God in E. St. Louis, Illinois. I must have been thirteen or fourteen years old, so this was in the early 1960's. I had seen several local groups at our church before, but this was the first time that I saw a group that �had it together� and a big part of why they had it together was Herschel Lester. He was the first person that I ever saw performing Gospel music that was actually having fun on the stage.
After this introduction to Herschel and the Lesters, my family started going to the singings that the Lester�s promoted in St. Louis. First it was at the St. Louis House, then as crowds got bigger they moved to the Kiel Auditorium, bringing in the biggest names in Gospel music. Finally under Herschel�s direction the singings were so popular that the Lesters bought the old Kingsland Theatre, and for many years they promoted the best concerts I ever went to.
It was once they settled in at the Kingsland Theatre that I really got to meet Herschel and the rest of the Lesters. I now know, after doing a fair amount of promoting myself, that every singing they had wasn�t successful, but you sure couldn�t tell it by Herschel�s face. He was the same every time you saw him. He always greeted you with a smile and a friendly handshake. I really cannot pinpoint the exact time, but during one of those concerts at the Kingsland Theatre, Herschel must have noticed that I had become a regular attendee, and started paying attention to this kid, who by this time was probably 18 years old. I don�t even remember how he discovered that I was a singer, but when I went to see them at a local concert at a church, he asked me if I had a song to sing.
Wow, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. Of course this was before the days of Soundtracks so the Lesters played a Jake Hess song that I knew and from that moment on I knew that I would be involved in Gospel music the rest of my life. Soon after that I asked Herschel about some voice lessons and he dutifully assigned me to someone in his store to give me some instructions, for a nominal fee of course. It wasn�t long after that, that you could see me singing "specials" and opening for some of their �big� concerts.
I will forever be indebted to Herschel for giving me that unforgettable feeling of taking my first steps on a real stage, feeling the heat of the bright lights, and looking at rows and rows of people anxiously waiting to hear you sing a song about Jesus.
Not long after this experience, Herschel was the one who recommended that I attend the Stamps Conservatory of Music in Waxahatchie, Texas. The second year I went, Herschel even let me hitch a ride on the Lesters bus. Now that was exciting! It was because of Herschel�s influence that I was now taking my part in Gospel music very seriously. Of course I will never forget how honored I was when Herschel called me to replace Brian while he was singing with Jerry and the Goffs. I had to pinch myself as I was up there singing with the Lesters on the same programs with the Oak Ridge Boys, the Thrasher Brothers, and even J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. Brian eventually came back to the Lesters, but Herschel never forgot that I had sung with them. In fact, he would use my group, The Sunday Edition, on many of their programs at the Kingsland Theatre for several years after that. Herschel played the lead and rhythm guitar on our very first album as well as writing the liner notes.
Even many years later, after we had moved from the St. Louis area, anytime that I was in the area, I would stop by the Lesters music store on 39th street, and Herschel would make a special trip over just to greet me.
Now, lest I leave the impression that I was special and deserved that attention from Herschel, let me explain that Herschel was like that with everyone he met. He gave everyone special attention. I watched as Herschel went out of his way to help up and coming groups. I can�t say that I know of one single person who did not like Herschel Lester.
Herschel played the guitar as good as any picker I have seen. He never stressed his singing abilities, he let his son and daughters shine there, but he sure could play that guitar. I must say though that people were always moved as Herschel sang �Thanks To Calvary�. As good a Herschel was on that guitar, it seemed that his first love was teaching. He taught music in the St. Louis school system for years, and he finished his career as head of the whole music department of the E.St.Louis school district, including the grade schools, junior high schools and all of the high schools.
Herschel Lester was one of the �behind the scenes� men who made Gospel music an event to attend in the St. Louis area. He will not be forgotten by the many singers who graced the stage at the Kingsland Theatre, and he will not be forgotten by the many fans who appreciated all the hard work that he and under his direction, his family did to preserve Gospel music in his part of the country.
I have never hidden the fact that I have great respect for the Lesters and Herschel Lester is a big part of why they earned that respect. Whether it was playing his guitar, or taking a hard time about his toupee, Herschel was always having a good time sharing the music he loved.
We will miss you Herschel.
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Written: 03/23/2004
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What a nice tribute, Deon, to a wonderful man. I, too, have nothing but fond memories of Herschel Lester.
What a great story, Dean! I never met Herschel when he was traveling with the group. I didn't meet him until I went to Meramec the first time. He always had that big smile & greeted me like he'd known me for years & knew who I was. He was so funny & sweet. I will miss him.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Thanks for this great tribute to Herschel Lester. I was born and raised in E. St. Louis, Illinois and lived in the St. Louis area until just recently. I remember every Sunday morning as a little girl watching The "Lester Family Sings" on Channel 5 in St. Louis. I remember Herschel and Alene singing with Mom and Pop Lester. At the end of the show, Pop Lester always said, "Keep those cards and letters coming, folks." I remember watching Brian and Ginger grow up right along with me. The Lesters are wonderful, kind and generous people who have never really been recognized for their great talent, at least not as much as I think they should be. When attending their concerts, Herschel was always there, with a smile, greeting everyone. There is just no pretense with them. I can recall several times visiting the the store on S. 39th Street in St. Louis and once having Alene invite me right into their home. What sweet and humble folks they are! Herschel, we will all miss you.
Marcia, did you attend E St Louis Senior High School? Surely we passed each other along the way someplace.
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
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Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown
Yes, "Class of '72".
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