For 75 years, the Bullock Brothers have made gospel a family affair

By Noah Schaffer Globe correspondent

In the 1950s and ‘60s, Boston gospel promoters frequently distributed fliers announcing an appearance by an exciting young group called the Bullock Brothers. The only problem was that they didn’t always bother to book the group. 

“They would use our name to get the people out. They knew we weren’t going to be there,” said Pastor George Bullock Sr. with a laugh. At 90, Bullock Sr. is one of two original members still singing in the group, which also includes his 92-year-old brother, Richard.

Instead of spending their lives on the gospel highway, the Bullocks opted to stay in Boston, where they raised families and ministered. Now the beloved singers will celebrate an almost unheard of milestone for a recording group: a 75th anniversary, commemorated with a July 19 banquet at Florian Hall in Dorchester. The all-Bullock bill features four other artists with family ties.

One of the other groups singing at the banquet, the Sons of the Bullock Brothers, will appear at the Lowell Folk Festival the following Sunday. The Sons, who are celebrating their 58th anniversary, continue their fathers’ tradition of brotherly harmonies and soulful shouting.

READ MORE: bostonglobe.com/2025/07/15/arts/bullock-brothers-75-years