The Soul Stirrers are probably best known for the fact that Sam Cooke cut his teeth with them before embarking on a tremendously successful solo career. But in fact they were one of the most popular and influential gospel groups of the 20th century, The Soul Stirrers were pioneers in the development of the quartet style of gospel and, without intending it, in the creation of soul music, the secular music that owed much to gospel. The group was formed by Roy Crain