In 1925, four students at Booker T. Washington High in Norfolk, Virginia – Henry Owens, Clyde Riddick, Willie “Bill” Johnson, Orlandus Wilson - founded the Gates. It is of interest to know that another group called the Golden Gate Quartet was organized in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1892.

The Golden Gate Quartet’s sound was well polished, and often crossed over into “barbershop” and popular music.  They appeared on live radio broadcasts.

Between 1955 and 1957, they toured in Europe. Later, they used to spend more time in Europe than in the United States.

Here are some of their first songs “Go Where I  Send Thee”, “Give Me Two Wings”, “I’m A Pilgrim”, “Hold On”.