Super Soul Sunday: John Legend
John Roger Stephens in Springfield, Ohio, in 1978, a nine-time Grammy award winner, has always been known for his songwriting and collaborations, but #BlackScranton will always remember him as the young Choir Director at Bethel AME Church here in Scranton.
John Legend was the head of the music department and choir director from 1995-2004. Keep in mind: Johnny was only 16 years old AND already an undergraduate at University of Pennsylvania and driving back and forth to Scranton every weekend!
He left his 9-year position at the Bethel in 2004 to work on his major label debut solo album Get Lifted, Legend won the 2005 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Male Performance.
Mr. Legend has come a long way since his nine years spent as “Minister of Music” at Bethel AME He first arrived in 1995 at the age of 16, landing the job after meeting the church’s then-pastor, the Rev. Calvin J. Hooks, through a mutual acquaintance.
John Legend pictured with Rev. Hooks, 1996 - Black Scranton Project Archive
“It was a great time in my life; and even when I moved to New York, I would still drive over to Scranton every once in a while and play at the church. I love the folks in Scranton and Bethel AME Church.”
“A lot of it was just driving back-and-forth (between Philadelphia and Scranton) and then being tired and having to study and I was in an a capella group at school too so I was doing a lot of stuff at school…”
“…And then every weekend I would come up to Scranton and I have a lot of fond memories. I have a lot of great friends that I made during that time that I stay in touch with.
excerpt from interview with Ralphie Aversa, 2016
Johnny would spend the afternoon rehearsing the Mass choir, which combined different members of all the church’s choral groups. From there, he’d stay overnight at the pastor’s house, then would lead the choir in song on Sunday. Often, he’d put his unique takes on the group’s repertoire of traditional and contemporary gospel spirituals.
Young John Legend singing and playing piano in Scranton, circa 1996.
Black Scranton Project Archive
It’s creeping up on two decades since Johnny left the area, but his connections and friendships have held on. Especially within the church community, including the Rev. Allen whose wife, according to an interview with Scranton Times in 2006, speaks to Mr. Legend on the phone at least once a week. “To this day, the Rev. Allen said, his famous friend remains an unusually thoughtful gentleman.” “On Fathers Day, he called me on the phone to wish me a happy Fathers Day. That means more to me than he’ll ever know,” the Rev. Allen said.”
Scranton Times Feb 10, 2006
The Rev. Tawan Bailey reached out to John Legend in 2014 to ask if he would sign the church’s electric piano as for fundraiser. Bailey heard back from Legend — two months later, the day before his concert at Wilkes-Barre's F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts — that he would sign it. It’s probably not easy to get through John Legends communications team.
Rev. Bailey could be example of one of John Legend’s lasting friendships in Scranton. But, should it matter if was the church or the individual that brought got him to sign the piano? He showed love, especially to the Black community. I think it is safe to say that Johnny will always love Scranton and Bethel AME Church.
We should ask Johnny to come back to Scranton…for the Grand Opening of Black Scranton Projects Community Center.
