Post by LIVES REMEMBERED on Oct 26, 2004 12:58:33 GMT -5
LIVES REMEMBERED
Mahalia Jackson, gospel's main lady
October 26
This date marks gospel singer Mahalia Jackson’s birthday in 1911. Jackson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised in the church and was part of the choir.
At a young age, Jackson knew she was going to be successful but would never show her talent to show business. She also suffered through racism in her life. Jim Crow laws were a major issue in southern states, and Jackson (like all Blacks) had to deal with prejudice while she all her life. A major mentor in her life was activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. WHO spoke of peace and freedom for all races.
At the 1963 March on Washington, Mahalia standing closeby to Dr. King was heard to urge him to "Tell 'em about the dream, Martin" which he went on to famously do.
At most of Dr. King's speeches / rallies she sang "Amazing Grace" and other up lifting songs. One day a record producer came to her church and asked Mahalia to sing for his record company. First, she said no because she only wanted to sing for the Lord. But, the next day she changed her mind. Her first hit was "Lift Every Voice and Sing" edited in 1956. Many landmarks are named after Mahalia Jackson.
Reference:
The Face of Our Past
Images of Black Women from Colonial America to the Present
Edited by Kathleen Thompson and Hilary Mac Austin
Copyright1999, Indiana University Press
ISBN 0-253-336535-X
Mahalia Jackson, gospel's main lady
October 26
This date marks gospel singer Mahalia Jackson’s birthday in 1911. Jackson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised in the church and was part of the choir.
At a young age, Jackson knew she was going to be successful but would never show her talent to show business. She also suffered through racism in her life. Jim Crow laws were a major issue in southern states, and Jackson (like all Blacks) had to deal with prejudice while she all her life. A major mentor in her life was activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. WHO spoke of peace and freedom for all races.
At the 1963 March on Washington, Mahalia standing closeby to Dr. King was heard to urge him to "Tell 'em about the dream, Martin" which he went on to famously do.
At most of Dr. King's speeches / rallies she sang "Amazing Grace" and other up lifting songs. One day a record producer came to her church and asked Mahalia to sing for his record company. First, she said no because she only wanted to sing for the Lord. But, the next day she changed her mind. Her first hit was "Lift Every Voice and Sing" edited in 1956. Many landmarks are named after Mahalia Jackson.
Reference:
The Face of Our Past
Images of Black Women from Colonial America to the Present
Edited by Kathleen Thompson and Hilary Mac Austin
Copyright1999, Indiana University Press
ISBN 0-253-336535-X