Mahalia Jackson

Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

Isaiah 42:10

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Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972)

Mahalia Jackson, who is considered as the greatest gospel singer ever, was born in a poor section of New Orleans on October 26, 1911. At the age of four, Jackson made her debut in the Plymouth Rock Baptist Church Children's Choir. She had her first recording in 1937. Thomas A. Dorsey, known as the "Father of Gospel Music", became her mentor and wrote over 400 songs which Jackson made popular. She also appeared on "Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956.

At the civil rights march on Washington, DC in 1964, Jackson preceded Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech with the traditional spiritual "I been 'buked and I been scorned". Jackson also sang "Precious Lord" at Rev. King's funeral. She died of a heart failure on January 27, 1972.

Discography

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