Like many groups formed during the popular commercial folk explosion of the late 50s, the Gateway Singers had a relatively short life. The line-up comprised Jerry Walter (vocals/banjo), Elmerlee Thomas (vocals), Lou Gottleib (b. 10 October 1923, Los Angeles, California, USA, d. 11 July 1996, Sebastopol, California, USA; bass) and Travis Edmondson (guitar). Following a path started by others, such as the Almanac Singers and the Weavers, they became one of the better-known US groups in the field at the time. Gottleib left the group in 1959, after the group’s two releases on Decca Records, and was replaced by Ernie Sheldon as lead guitar player. The group split up in 1961, at the height of the folk boom. For a time, the Gateway Trio, comprising Milt Chapman (bass/vocals), Betty Mann (guitar/vocals), and original founder Jerry Walter, continued performing. After releasing albums for Capitol Records, the trio broke up.