GospelCity Black History Month Salute to Gospel Artists

The four individuals profiled in this edition of Gospel City’s celebration of Black History Month are innovators and pioneers in gospel music. Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, The Clark Sisters and Kirk Franklin have all left indelible marks on one of the truly original African American genres of music. Each of them has inspired generations of gospel music enthusiasts from listeners to performers with their gifts. And without question, each has earned a place in the history of their people and in the history of the world.

Mahalia Jackson

"When you sing gospel you have a feeling there is a cure for what's wrong."

Black women of all ages remember Mahalia Jackson singing in the movie, Imitation of Life. With her deep contralto, she moaned, “Soon we will be done, trouble of the world…I’m going home to live with God,” and there wasn’t a dry eye or unconvicted soul listening. The woman who grew up in poverty in New Orleans, Louisiana was a born entertainer who surrendered her gifts to God, after an aunt told her prophetically, “You will sing in front of royalty.” And she did.

Mahalia Jackson is unquestionably gospel music’s first superstar entertainer with crossover appeal that would land her on mainstream television shows during an era that was not particularly fond of black images or music that had an overtly “black” sound. She was an astute businesswoman who performed in venues as grand as the opera halls of Europe to Carnegie Hall to churches. Her business acumen preceded her and often she would not perform unless the monetary arrangements were complete and to her satisfaction. Promoters had to show her the money.

The Queen of Gospel Music would discover singer, actress Della Reese and mentor a young Aretha Franklin. She was also a staunch supporter of the civil rights movement and the works of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Very often she would be called upon to open his sermons and/or speeches with Precious Lord (Take My Hand) and other standards written by Thomas Dorsey.