In the early 1940's, it took a lot of nerve to brandish an electric guitar in a place of worship, especially in the black community, where the instrument had widely been considered an agent of Satan. Times may have changed, but the life and music of Elder Utah Smith, a travelling tent evangelist, doesn't seem any less remarkable in hindsight. An unsung pioneer of the electric guitar -- his daughter believes he was the first black person to ever even own an electric -- Smith's work pre-dates rock 'n' roll by a good decade and a half. Fans of blues, rock 'n' roll, gospel, and the guitar should consider this handsome book/CD package nothing less than essential, not only for its historical value, but for the undeniable energy in the music.
Comments for "Elder Utah Smith "I Got Two Wings"" (3)
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Karl Anderson said on May. 08, 2009 at 12:29pm
My deceased autnt use to tell us about him. In fact, she said that he said he taught Elvis. Is that true?
Rufus F. Porter said on Sep. 19, 2009 at 6:07pm
Elder Smith was my Grandfather, My Mother is Sarah James Smith. He was an outstanding Grandfather.
Larry Owens said on Jun. 03, 2010 at 12:19pm
My Grandparents, Alice Holmes and William Holmes were pioneers of COGIC in Baltimore,Md. My grandmother told me of times when Eld. Smith would be conducting a revival and would run out of the church yelling, "Fire! Fire!" and people would come running to the church and once inside he'd tell them that Holy Ghost Fire was falling and begin to preach .
Also the late Bishop Frank Ellis told me that he was saved in one of Eld. Smith's revivals. Oh , the pioneers of COGIC! What a legacy they left for the church.
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