Tag: Passings

Gospel community reacts to the death of international superstar Whitney Houston

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Originally posted Feb. 12, 2012 at 12:16AM 
Last Updated Feb. 13, 2012 at 9:08AM
Whitney Houston and Kim Burrell at the 2011
BET Celebration of Gospel, after their unforgettable
performance of “I Look to You.”
Photo from www.whitneyhouston.com
I was taking in a comedy show Saturday evening when I received word of Whitney Houston’s demise at the age of 48.  Actually, I was listening to an up and coming balladeer pay a fantastic musical tribute to another music icon who left us too soon, Luther Vandross.  There was nothing I was able to say when my friend turned to me stunned and whispered, “Libra, Whitney Houston is dead,” except, “It’s got to be a hoax.  Google it.”  How I prayed to be right!
After the search results confirmed the shocking news, I sat through the show reflecting on Whitney’s music.  She was a pop icon.  She is a pop icon.  And she, like countless other entertainers, started in her church, New Hope Baptist in Newark, NJ.  Gospel influences were all around her.  Her mother Cissy Drinkard Houston, a superb soprano–who once sang backup for Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, and Aretha Franklin–was a member of the well-known gospel recording group, the Drinkard Singers.  Her cousins Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick were members of the Gospelaires, later renamed the Sweet Inspirations.  Aretha is Whitney’s godmother.

Awards and recognitions amassed throughout Whitney’s career are unmatched by any other female artist.  Even The Preacher’s Wife original soundtrack, which features her flawless vocals on a number of gospel and R&B tracks, is reported to be the best-selling gospel album of all time.

Expectedly, the Twitter world has been abuzz with sentiments from the gospel music industry.

Richard Smallwood, whose composition “I Love the Lord” was performed by Whitney on The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack, tweeted, “No words…my heart is so heavy. Love and prayers to Cissy Houston And Bobbi Kris and the rest of the fam. RIP Whitney Houston.”  Later, he added, “[T]his is just SO surreal. Cant wrap my mind around it……[sic]”

“I’m so sorry to hear of the news of Whitney Houston,” posted Kierra Sheard.  “She was one of music’s greatest. I’m praying for the family.”

James Fortune said via tweet, “We have lost an ICON! I am deeply saddened by the news of Whitney Houston’s passing! Praying for her family! RIP.”

From left: Houston, Caesar and Winans

The chart-topping diva shared close relationships with CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar through the years.  In 1996, the trio’s gospel medley brought down the house at the 38th Grammy Awards show.  Sunday, Winans shared on Twitter, “I LOVED her SO much, but God loved her more. I pray she’s resting in His arms!”

“RIP Whitney Houston…,” tweeted duo Mary Mary.  “[O]ur hearts are so heavy we’ll always Love you…[sic]”

Cemented in the annals of BET’s Celebration of Gospel is Whitney’s surprise duet with Kim Burrell in 2011.  The vocal powerhouses brought the riveted audience to its feet with Whitney’s “I Look to You” from her last album of the same name.

Sunday evening, Burrell told CNN at the Grammys that she last heard from her friend the day before.

“I got to LA for this, and she told me to call her when I got here; we [were] going to go the Clive [Davis] party last night.  So I called her and I missed her and so…she called me and missed me and so she left a message at about 2 o’clock….I called back several times and of course I didn’t get an answer, because my friend (pause) had died.”  Burrell said Whitney was “in great spirits as always.”

Burrell became emotional as she continued to speak of their close friendship of 13 years.  “I love her,” she said through tears, “And she’s my sister–and she’ll always be my sister.  I love her dearly.”  She went on to share that she’d spent time with Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina, who calls her “Auntie Kim,” on Saturday.

Grammy-winning producer Kevin Bond tweeted, “‘I Look To You!’…….What a befitting song for her ending! After Everything and Everyone else is gone I look to you God! [sic]”

Jason Nelson appropriately petitioned on his Twitter page, “Please keep the family of Whitney Houston in your prayers. This loss affects all of the music community.”

GMF indeed extends condolences to Whitney’s family and friends.  Our prayers are with them as they mourn the passing of one whom the world knows as a true music sensation.

David Peaston of R&B and gospel acclaim has died

David Peaston, son of the Clara Ward Singers’ Martha Bass and brother of soul singer Fontella Bass (“Rescue Me”), died Wednesday from complications of diabetes.  He was 54.
Photo credit: Ian Dickson/Redferns
Peaston is probably most known for his songs, “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make It Right)” and “Can I?” which came following his big break on Showtime at the Apollo in the late 1980’s.
In the early 1990’s, the Soul Train Award winner recorded a gospel album with his mother and sister called Promises: A Family Portrait Of Faith. 
GMF sends condolences to Peaston’s family, friends, and supporters.

You can read more about his career at www.stltoday.com.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Mahalia Jackson’s passing

On this date in 1972, Mahalia Jackson–widely regarded as the world’s greatest gospel singer–passed away.  She was 59 years old.  (Almost all news reports indicated she was 60, because her birth year was supposedly 1911.  Her grave marker, however, bears the inscription of 1912 as her year of birth; therefore, she would not have turned 60 until October of 1972.)

Fifty-nine years of age is awfully young, but in her relatively short lifetime, Jackson blazed trails with her contemporaries, stirred souls with her spirited performances, and advocated for civil rights with the heavyweights.  One of her notable associations during that era was with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  A piece published in The Dispatch on Jan. 28, 1972, announces her death and quotes then-President Richard Nixon on her far-reaching impact: Gospel Singer Mahalia Jackson Dies at 60.

October 26th will mark the gospel singer’s 100th birthday.

Related Story 
Mahalia Jackson’s hometown commemorates her 100th birthday with several events

Johnny Otis (1921-2012) – "The Godfather of Rhythm and Blues"

Johnny Otis, singer, musician, bandleader, and former pastor, died Tuesday.  He was 90 years old.  Otis, who was the son of Greek immigrants but identified himself as a member of the black community, was the father of singer-songwriter and musician, Shuggie Otis.

According to his bio, the multi-talented artist discovered, among others, Etta James, who was once a featured vocalist in his band.  (James passed today at the age of 73.)

In a career that spanned seven decades, Otis, sometimes referred to as “The Godfather of Rhythm and Blues,” enjoyed one success after another in the music industry.  He was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

In later years, Otis reportedly founded and pastored the now defunct Landmark Community Gospel Church in California.

You can read more about his extensive career in the Chicago-Sun Times and The New York Times.

GMF offers sympathy to the relatives, friends, and fans of Johnny Otis.

Etta James succumbs

Etta James, famed singer whose best known hit is perhaps “At Last,” has died just a few days shy of her 74th birthday.

James, like countless other blues, R&B, and soul singers, got her start in the church. Gospel historian Bob Marovich conducted an interview with her several years ago that he will re-air on his radio program “Gospel Memories” next week. See his piece for more information: Etta James dies at 73.

GMF extends condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Etta James.  Her music will not soon be forgotten.

Emily Harris of Bobby Jones & New Life has died

Emily Harris
Emily Harris, longtime member of Bobby Jones and New Life Singers and the Nashville Super Choir, has died.  Harris’s rich vocals are featured on several songs, notably “I’m in His Care,” from Bobby Jones and New Life’s early 1990’s release Bring It To Jesus.
 
Homegoing arrangements are as follows:
 
Musical Celebration
Wednesday, December 28th
7 PM
 
Homegoing Celebration
Thursday, December 29th
11 AM
 
All services will take place at Cathedral of Praise Church of God in Christ, 4300 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN.  Read the obituary as posted by Terrell Broady Funeral Home here: Emily Harris.
 
GMF extends sympathy to and prayers for the Harris family and Dr. Bobby Jones, New Life, and the Nashville Super Choir during this most difficult time.
 
 

Gene Viale of the Cleveland Singers has died

Gene Viale

Robert Marovich of The Black Gospel Blog passed along the sad news to GMF that Minister Gene Viale has died.

Viale was a member of the legendary James Cleveland Singers (1964-1965) and traveled extensively as a solo artist as well.  According to his web bio, he has appeared with numerous gospel greats including Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker and The Caravans, Dorothy Love Coates and The Gospel Harmonettes, Andraé and Sandra Crouch, The Staples Singers, Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s.

Just last year, Viale released his first book, entitled, I Remember Gospel and I Keep on Singing.

GMF extends condolences to all who mourn his passing.

Louis Dicks of the Blind Boys remembered by family, friends, quartet community

Sandy Foster, Jr. (left) of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires pay their respects.

Mourners filled the sanctuary of Durham’s New Metropolitan Church Monday, October 24, to celebrate the life of Louis Dicks, longtime member of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. 
The host of mourners included members from both the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Alabama, the Fantastic Violinaires, and the Swan Silvertones.
Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires was among those who offered tributes with a prayer of comfort and a moving verse of “Father, I Stretch My Hands To Thee.”  Pastor Patricia Reams delivered the eulogy.
Dicks died last Monday, October 17. 

GMF thanks RuBena Cooper-Woods for contributing to this piece.

Related Story:
Blind Boys’ famed lead, Louis Dicks, passes from labor to reward

Blind Boys’ famed lead, Louis Dicks, passes from labor to reward

Dicks (standing, far left)

GMF thanks RuBena Cooper-Woods for informing us of the passing of Louis Dicks, longtime lead singer with both the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.  Dicks died Monday in Durham, NC, where he resided more than 20 years.

The well-known tenor (who, incidentally, was not blind) joined the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi in the mid 1950’s and traveled with the group for several decades.  When Clarence Fountain left the Five Blind Boys of Alabama for a few years in the late 1960’s, Dicks came aboard as the Alabama group’s featured lead for a time. 

In addition to the acclaim he embraced as a member of both legendary aggregations, Dicks wowed crowds throughout NC with his own uniquely named group, World’s Greatest Gospel Singers.

Visitation will be Monday, October 24, at 11am, with the homegoing service following at noon.  Services will be at New Metropolitan Faith Winners Baptist Church, 1509 Riddle Road, Durham, NC.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends.  Another phenomenal singer has joined the Heavenly choir.

Jessy Dixon, legendary gospel singer & songwriter, has died

The Black Gospel Blog just reported that another gospel legend in the person of Rev. Jessy Dixon has passed from labor to reward.

Dixon was an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician whose memorable compositions include “I Am Redeemed,” “I Love to Praise His Name,” and “Lord Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary.”  He wrote more than 200 songs throughout his career.  He was also a sought-after accompanist.  His fans were many including celebrities Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, and Diana Ross.

The Black Gospel Blog will provide additional information as it becomes available.

GMF extends sympathy to Rev. Dixon’s family and friends and to the gospel community.