Joe Schmitt

Barbershop tenor vocalist. Born on July 17, 1926 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Joe was one of 17 children and went on to become big in the barbershop world. Joe began singing as a child in the St. Luke’s Church Choir with his brothers but soon began singing with three of them in their own quartet. Joe along with his brothers: Jim, Paul, and Fran started the Schmitt Brothers quartet in late 1949 and quickly rose to the top. They won the 1951 SPEBSQSA International Championship in Toledo, Ohio. This sparked a 35-year career and over 3,000 performances. Joe became the spokesman for the quartet. Joe died on January 23, 1985 at the age of 58. His death brought the long career of the Schmitt Brothers to an end.