George "Pops" Chambers, the singer and bassist of Los Angeles psych-rock outfit The Chambers Brothers, passed away Fri., Oct. 12 at 88. The death was announced on the official Facebook page for the pioneering '60s/'70s group with a short message and link to their song "Heaven."

"To all our fans, friends and loved ones, I was informed this morning at about 5:00 am, that my brother George, known as 'Pops' Chambers has passed. We thank you for all your years of Love Peace and Happiness," the post read.

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George Chambers and his younger brothers Lester, Joe and Willie, originally active in their Baptist church choir in Mississippi, formed their aptly named group after relocating to L.A. in the mid-'50s. Spending the first few years performing as a gospel group, the soon began expanding their sound and found a home in the local folk scene, and was invited to perform at the iconic Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

Channeling the moods of the times, The Chambers Brothers incorporated electric instruments, expanded to add Brian Keenan on drums and embraced a groovy psych rock sound. As Rolling Stone notes, after adding Keenan, they became one of the few interracial musical groups at the time, as well as "staples" of the local music scene for a full decade.

With the sprawling acid/psych rock track "Time Has Come Today," the group saw their first Top 10 hit in 1968. While it was technically the shorter single cut of the song that charted, the full album version (from 1967's The Time Has Come) clocks in at 11 minutes, with spooky laughs and screams piercing the funky guitar and bass licks.

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The group remained an active part of the burgeoning L.A. psych rock scene until the mid-'70s, when they split up. Each member remained active in music, with George returning to his gospel music roots and eventually leading his local church. The Chamber Brothers also reunited on stage several times over the years.

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