Kingsmen's Charles Abee Passes Away

Charles Abee, the esteemed Southern Gospel pianist renowned for his contributions to the Kingsmen Quartet during the early 1970s, passed away on April 29, 2025, at the age of 82.

He is best known for his tenure with the Kingsmen Quartet from 1971 to 1973. During this period, he played a pivotal role in shaping the group's sound, contributing to albums such as America's Favorite Hymns (1971) and May Day (1972) . Abee was also credited with coining the group's nickname, "The Men of Music," reflecting their dynamic and evolving musical style.

Born April 7, 1943, Abee most heavily impacted Gospel music as a pianist during the 1960s and 1970s.He first surfaced on the professional scene in 1965 with The Pine Ridge Boys, later joining The Palmetto State Quartet.

He is most noted for his tenure with The Kingsmen Quartet from 1971 through 1973, during which they first became known as "The Ton of Fun." Abee played on numerous early Kingsmen hits including "Just As The Sun Went Down", "The Apple Tree Story", "Gone", "I'd Rather Be An Old Time Christian", and "Reverend Everette Beverley And Sister Annie Laura."

After Abee left the full time circuit, he remained active with several regional groups such as Meetin' Time Quartet, The Tarheel State Quartet, and Men Of Praise, in addition to serving for 24 years as Minister of Music at Winklers Grove Baptist Church in Morganton. He was a recipient of both the 2004 Living Legend Award at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, and a 2011 inductee into the Southern Gospel Piano Roll of Honor.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Winkler's Grove Baptist Church in Hickory with Rev. Paul Deal officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 1:45 PM and also following the service at the church.

Visit www.burkemortuary.com to register your condolences. 

 

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