Southern gospel legend Brock Speer dies aged 78

ONE OF THE legends of the Southern gospel scene Brock Speer of the Speer Family died, aged 78, at the Baptist Hospital, Nashville on March 29th. Speer was born in 1920, one year before his parents, GT and Lena Speer, began performing as the Speer Family. The group initially travelled by horse and buggy before moving up to a Model T Ford and later a bus. Speer sang with the family group his entire life, with his service in World War II the only interruption.

The Speer Family - which over the years encompassed three generations of Speers, as well as several non-family group members - recorded albums for Columbia, RCA, Benson, RiverSong, HeartWarming, and, most recently, Homeland Entertainment. The Speers retired last year after more than 75 years on the road. The event was marked by an emotional tribute during last September's annual National Quartet Convention. The Speers were also frequent participants in Bill Gaither's 'Homecoming' video series.