The Dixie Hummingbirds, one of the great Gospel vocal groups of the past half century, are perhaps best known to listeners as the background vocalists on Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like a Rock.” (I’m posting their own version below.)
One fact about the group has always fascinated me: After one of their members, William Bobo, died in 1976, the group decided to place an empty microphone on the stage at every show as a remembrance. I love this kind of gesture for many reasons, not only the remembrance but also the idea that leaving a little room always makes something else possible. You never know what or who might show up.
