GOSPEL

MAHALIA JACKSON
Few would argue with the statement that Mahalia Jackson was the greatest singer in gospel history. Born in 1911, she had a strict religious upbringing..but still managed to be greatly influenced by the rich New Orleans-ness of her hometown. She started singing as a child in her church. When she was in eighth grade, she left school. Inspired by such singers as "Ma" Rainey and Bessie Smith, she moved to Chicago in 1927 where she worked as both a maid and a nurse. In 1935 she was signed with Decca after scouts heard her singing at a funeral. From there her career only went up. She signed with Apollo and later with Columbia Records where she had her biggest success. She gained an enormous following, both white and black, although her new status alienated many blacks who felt she had "sold out". She died in 1972 and her funeral was more of a gospel music celebration than a wake. Celebrites from all over the country attended and Aretha Franklin sang "Precious Lord" at the climax. A second funeral was held in New Orleans a few days later.
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CLARA WARD
Born in 1924, Clara made her national debut at the age of 19 singing at the National Baptist Convention. She was one of the most flamboyant and charismatic singers in the history of gospel music, her strong voice the powerhouse that drove her through her career. She was the first true gospel music star, and her Clara Ward Singers were spectacular. Dressed in high fashion wigs and gaudy outfits, they brought the house down with their performances. Although her flamboyance and her business practices drove some of her following and her fellow performers away, she was still much in demand. She formed several groups of Clara Ward Singers and promoters had to be careful to specifically ask for Clara Ward when they booked, or they would get one of her groups instead. In 1961, she shocked the gospel world when she signed a 40 week contract to perform in Las Vegas. Clara Ward died in 1973.
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THE SOUL STIRRERS
Founded in 1934 the Soul Stirrers were an all-male vocal group which used the four and five part quartet method of harmonizing that had become popular around 1900. While many of these groups emphasized harmony and syncopation, the group was moving towards "hard gospel". This more emotional style often used two lead singers with one talking over the other to raise the emotional pitch. Formed by Robert Harris, the group included Silas Roy Crain, Jesse Farley, T.L. Bruster, and R.B. Robinson. By 1950, Harris had quit the group as they became more popular. He could not longer take the hardships of constant touring. He was replaced by Sam Cooke, then a teen, who catapulted them to their greatest fame. Handsome and charming, Cooke attracted a great deal of female attention to the group, and they packed churches and arenas. Cooke left the group in 1957 to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Johnnie Taylor who was the first of several different singers, but they never again achieved the heights they had with Sam Cooke.
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SHIRLEY CEASAR
Born in 1938, Shirley Ceasar was one of 12 children. She began her singing career at the age of 10, performing as Baby Shirley. At 12 she made her first recording and then in 1958 she joined the Caravans...a group that was to spawn many a solo career. After eight years, she left to become an evangelist. She's won 5 Grammy's and 5 Dove Awards (Gospel Award). In the mid-70s she started hosting her own radio series. One of gospel's biggest stars, Shirley also graduated from Shaw University in 1984 with a bachelors in business administration.

REVEREND JAMES CLEVELAND
The undisputed King of Gospel was born in 1931. Growing up in Chicago, he began his career at Pilgrim Baptist Church and began to build a reputation as a freelance choir director. He moved to Detroit where he was hired as choir director at new Bethel Baptist Church. It was there that he taught the Reverend's daughter, a certain Aretha Franklin, to sing. He later produced her Grammy- winning LP Amazing Grace. In the mid-50s he joined the Caravans like so many other great gospel singers. Credited with writing over 400 gospel songs, he was also the first gospel singer to be awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His songwriting and his choir direction served as primary influences for the generations of gospel singers that came after him.
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