Search results
May 29, 2022 · Artists like Mahalia Jackson and Rosetta Tharpe elevated the popularity of the genre in the mid-1900s, treading the path for gospel singers with crossover, secular appeal, like Aretha...
- Thomas A. Dorsey
- Sallie Martin
- Mahalia Jackson
- Reverend Gary Davis
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- James Cleveland
- Hank Williams
- Yolanda Adams
- Marvin Sapp
Let’s start with the Father of Gospel Music. Thomas Andrew Dorseyis a singer from the 1900s who popularized the gospel music genre. He’s a legend amongst gospel artists who built an unparalleled legacy as a singer, composer, and Christian evangelist and a pioneer of early blues and gospel music. He wrote 3000 songs throughout his career, including ...
Only one artist can be the “Mother of Gospel” music if Thomas A. Dorsey is the “Father of Gospel” music. And that has to be Sallie Martin. Sallie was a famous American gospel singer from Georgia. She began her Christian journey with the Pentecostal movement, crafting her singing skills aftermoving to Chicago in the 1920s. Sallie popularized Thomas ...
Mahalia Jackson is one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, widely considered one of the best female vocalists of the 1930s. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and became one of the pioneers of gospel blues. Mahalia stood out when the country was battling racial segregation, becoming the voice of the voiceless with songs that gave hope ...
Reverend Gary Davis was a prolific banjo, guitar, and harmonica player born in Laurens, South Carolina. He was born blind, subjected to harsh treatment by his mother, and forced to live with his grandmother at a young age. But the tough upbringing didn’t stop Davis from pursuing his musical aspirations, catching the people’s attention as a blues si...
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a popular gospel singer from the 1930s who blended electric guitars with spiritual lyrics to massive acclaim. She was one of the earliest gospel artists to draw the attention of rock and roll and rhythm blues lovers, nicknamed “the Godmother of rock and roll” and “the original soul sister.” Sister Rosetta’s influence went ...
Tasha Cobbs Leonard is a female gospel singer from Georgia who won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance in 2014. She also received 9 Dove Awards, 3 Billboard Music Awards, and 15 Stellar Awards. One of Tasha’s best-ever songs, “Break Every Chain,” has garnered over 100 million YouTube views. She’s also remembered ...
James Cleveland is easily one of the best gospel singers of all time. He often drew audiences with his unique voice. James combined soul, jazz, and pop music elements with traditional gospel music and was nicknamed “the King of Gospel.” He started singing as part of the Pilgrim Baptist Church, quickly establishing himself as a trusted soprano boy. ...
A widely celebrated country singer, and rightly so. Hank Williams is also one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, often releasing songs about torment, redemption, and sin, as was evident in “I Saw The Light” in 1948. While everybody will remember him as one of the most influential country singers, Hank’s contributions to gospel music should...
Yolanda Adams is one of the best-selling female gospel singers of all time with hits such as “Only Believe,” “I Believe I Can Fly,” and “Hold On.” The Texas-born singer has won multiple awards, including 4 Dove Awards, 4 Grammy Awards, 6 NAACP Image Awards, 6 Soul Train Music Awards, and 5 BET Awards. She also made history as the first gospel singe...
Marvin Sapp is an ordained pastor who was determined to become a successful gospel singer from a young age. He started his career in the 1990s with the Commissioned gospel music group before going solo a few years later. Marvin has recorded 7 albums since rising to prominence with the “Never Would Have Made It” single in 2007. He’s earned 11 Grammy...
- Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia Jackson "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" from "Louis Armstrong at Newport 1970" No list of the best gospel singers is complete without Mahalia Jackson.
- Andraé Crouch. Andrae Crouch - Through It All [Live] Andraé Crouch was a pastor and gospel singer who earned the title “the Father of Modern Gospel Music.”
- BeBe and CeCe Winans. Close To You. BeBe and CeCe Winans are a brother-and-sister duo who have made extensive inroads in the gospel music genre. They were originally members of the Winans Family singing group, which consisted of themselves and their eight siblings, before setting off as a duo.
- James Cleveland. James Cleveland - Where Is Your Faith In God. James Cleveland was a gospel singer and composer who earned the title “the King of Gospel.”
One of the most important was James D Vaughan who in 1900 published his first songbook Gospel Chimes. Vaughan, based in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, began to make an impact though it was in 1910 when he formed the country's first professional gospel singing group, the Vaughan Quartet, that a seminal prototype was established.
- Mahalia Jackson. We start off with the undisputed Queen of Gospel of the 20th centuray, Mahalia Jackson. Her incredible career spanned over 40 years, and she peaked during a challenging time in history when racial segregation was rampant throughout the US.
- Shirley Caesar. The First Lady of Gospel, Shirley Ann Caesar, started singing very young and recording at age 12 in 1951. She was highly influenced by her father, who was also a gospel singer.
- Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll and screen icon, Elvis Presley, actually had other singing talents. After reinventing himself in 1972, his gospel album, He Touched Me, won him a second Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance.
- Kirk Franklin. The Reigning King of Urban Gospel, Kirk Franklin crossed the boundaries with his revolutionary talents as a renowned gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and producer.
Feb 9, 2024 · Gospel music as we know it today remains a sacred part of Black History and continues unifying congregations worldwide. Below are 21 Black gospel artists who have significantly impacted the genre and its history over the last 50 years.
People also ask
Who are the most famous gospel singers of all time?
Who invented gospel music?
Who are black gospel artists?
How did gospel music become popular?
Early Gospel Singers. This section is intended to provide the reader with an introduction into the wide scope of gospel music by providing biographical entries of early gospel singers.
