They are widely known for having provided background vocals for Elvis Presley in live appearances, recordings, and feature films from 1956 to 1970.

The group worked in the recording studio, on stage, and on television with many country, gospel, and rock and roll artists.

Pianist Bob Money was replaced by Gordon Stoker, and founding members Bill and Monty Matthews left the group and moved back to Missouri.

[2] Stoker began singing with the group, taking on lead vocal and tenor roles, and new members Neal Matthews, Jr. (second tenor, and unrelated to Bill and Monty Matthews), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone), and Hugh Jarrett (bass vocals) joined in the early-to-mid-1950s.

[2] Sister Rosetta Tharpe toured with the vocal group the Jordanaires in the late forties and early fifties, one of the first multiracial gospel pairings.

While continuing to turn out gospel albums of their own, the group became better known for the signature background harmonies they provided on dozens of secular records.

[7] During this meeting, Presley told the group that he would like them to sing backup for him if he ever was signed to a major record label.

[9] His co-producer, guitarist Chet Atkins, recruited Stoker to sing backup for "a 'new-probably-wouldn't-be-around-long kid, named Elvis Presley'".

Elvis, his band, Stoker, and Ben and Brock Speer, recorded "I Was The One" (the B-side of "Heartbreak Hotel") in January and "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" in April.

[16] According to John Rumble and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in 2000, West left the group "due to illness".