Died On This Date (April 23, 2009) Rev. Timothy Wright / The Godfater Of Gospel

Rev. Timothy Wright
June 17, 1947 – April 23, 2009

timothy-wrightKnown amongst fans of gospel music as the “Godfather Of Gospel,”  the Rev. Timothy Wright pleased crowds and with his uplifting songs, usually backed by a powerful choir.  He died of undisclosed causes on April 23, 2009 at the age of 61.  Wright released several albums over his career, two of which were nominated for Grammys, and one reached the Top 20 on Billboard’s Gospel chart.  In July of 2008, Wright’s car was struck by a wrong-way driver, sending him to the hospital with life threatening injuries and killing his wife and teenage grandson.

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The Godfather of Gospel - Rev. Timothy Wright

Died On This Date (April 8, 2009) Pop Winans

David “Pop” Winans
April 20, 1932 – April 8, 2009

pop-winansPop Winans was the patriarch of the Winans, a popular Gospel singing family that achieved various levels of success both collectively and individually.  He and his wife, Delores recorded and performed together (Mom and Pop Winans) and separately throughout their careers.  Son and daughter, Bebe and CeCe Winans scored the biggest hits of the family with their “Addictive Love,” and “I’ll Take You There.”  Grammy-nominated Pops Winans passed away on April 8, 2009 in a Nashville hospice facility where he had been since January of that year.  He had been recovering from a heart attack and stroke in October of 2008.

Died On This Date (March 23, 2010) Marva Wright / New Orleans Blues & Gospel Great

Marva Wright
March 20, 1948 – March 23, 2010

Marva Wright was a popular New Orleans blues and Gospel singer who has rightfully been called the Blues Queen of New Orleans.  Whether performing in area clubs or in front of thousands at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Wright was a familiar and welcomed site throughout the city for many years.  She was a popular concert draw throughout Europe and beyond as well.  Even though she began singing at the age of nine, Wright didn’t make it a career until she hit her 40s, and since then she has released several critically and fan acclaimed albums and even performed at the White House.  Over the course of her career, she has performed with the likes of Joe Cocker, Glen Campbell, Fats Domino, and Lou Rawls, to name a few.   Marva Wright was 62 when she died on March 23, 2010 of complications of a stroke she suffered the previous year.

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Bluesiana Mama - Marva Wright

Died On This Date (January 27, 1972) Mahalia Jackson / Gospel Music Icon

Mahalia Jackson
October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972

mahalia-jackson

Mahalia Jackson was a powerful gospel singer who many consider to be the most influential of the genre.  After a childhood that consisted of living in a three-room home with twelve other family members, Jackson moved to Chicago at the age of sixteen.  Two years later, she met Thomas A. Dorsey, the so-called Father of Gospel Music, who helped launch her career.   Over the course of her career, Jackson record upwards of thirty-five albums, and a string of million-selling singles, including “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” her signature song written by Dorsey.  Mahalia Jackson died of diabetes and heart failure at the age of 60.

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Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns - Mahalia Jackson

Died On This Date (January 23, 1993) Thomas A. Dorsey / The Father Of Gospel Music

Thomas A. Dorsey
July 1, 1899 – January 23, 1993

Thomas A. Dorsey was a ’20s era singer, musician and composer who has been called the “Father of Gospel.”  Dorsey’s career began in jazz during the early ’20s, a time when he formed the backing band for Ma Rainey.  In 1928, and going by the name, Georgia Tom, Dorsey teamed up with Tampa Red to record “Tight Like That” which went on to sell seven million copies.  Over the course of his career, he is said to have written over 400 songs.  During the mid ’20s, Dorsey set his focus creating a music that would become known as Gospel.  He took standard Christian praise and married it with jazz and blues.  Many of his gospel songs have become standards and have been recorded by greats of future generations of rock ‘n roll and R&B.  Thomas A. Dorsey was 93 when he passed away on January 23, 1993.

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Precious Lord Recordings of the Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey - Thomas A. Dorsey