RIP Robert Dixon, Quartet Singer with the Salem Travelers

By Robert M. Marovich

JGM is saddened to report the passing of Robert Dixon, quartet singer with the Salem Travelers of Chicago.

Robert Dixon was born May 19, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, and first came to Chicago in 1962. After his arrival in the Windy City, he joined his cousins in a quartet called the Spiritual Jubilairs. He sang with the group until 1966, then spent a year with the Clefs of Calvary,  taking the place of James Phelps, when he left to join the the Soul Stirrers. Dixon joined the Salem Travelers in 1967.

“The Clefs of Calvary and the Salem Travelers were doing a little work together in St. Louis,” Dixon told me in a 2009 interview. “Arthur Davis was the lead singer with the Salem Travelers before I got with them, and he was talking about going solo. The Salem Travelers talked to me about coming in to replace him, but [Arthur] didn’t leave. He stayed there and we all sang together.”

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Salem Travelers were known for soulful harmonies, glass-shattering lead singing, and a repertory that provided social commentary on the troubles of the world. The quartet tackled topics such as the war in Vietnam, drugs, violence, prejudice, civil rights, and child delinquency. The group appeared on the Jubilee Showcase television program.

Robert Dixon remained with the Salem Travelers for the remainder of his career. After a number of the original members passed away, Dixon reconstituted the Salem Travelers with Rev. Harris and ordained members of the Skinner Family: Revs. Robert, Jr.; Larry, Sr. and Floyd. They released an album The Return of Robert Dixon and the Original Salem Travelers, in 2004.