Herbert Reed was born in Kansas City, Missouri August 7th 1928. Both his parents died when he was only 10 years old. Five years later he accepted a lift to Los Angeles from a family friend.  At fifteen he found a job in a car wash and began to sing on street corners. Having a unique bass singing voice, Reed began singing with various vocal groups. His talent won him a place in the LA version of a famous gospel group, "The Wings Over Jordan Choir". Reed joined a vocal quartet that included the young tenor singer David Lynch. The group was offered a recording contract by Ralph Bass of Federal Records, who added another young tenor, Tony Williams. 
Herbert Reed died from complications on June 4, 2012, in Boston aged 83. He is survived by his son, Herbert, and three grandsons.