MAHALIA JACKSON
Name: Mahalia Jackson
Born: 26 October 1911 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Died: 27 January 1972 Evergreen Park, Illinois, USA
Mahalia Jackson (October 26, 1911[1] - January 27, 1972) was an American gospel
singer, widely regarded as the best in the history of the genre and was the
first "Queen of gospel". Mahalia Jackson became one of the most influential
gospel singers in the world. She recorded about 30 albums (mostly for Columbia
Records) during her career, and her 45 rpm records included a dozen "golds" million-sellers.
Mahalia Jackson grew up in the Black Pearl section of the Carrollton
neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana. The three room dwelling on Pitt
Street housed thirteen people. This included Mahalia, whom they affectionately
called Halie for short after her aunt also named Mahalia, her brother
Roosevelt, whom they called Peter, and her mother Charity. Several aunts and
cousins lived in the house as well. Family members conferred upon the aunt the
title of Aunt Duke. She was rewarded with the name because she held the title of
being the boss of the family.
When Halie was born she suffered from a condition known as genu varum or what is
commonly called "bowed legs." The doctors wanted to perform surgery by breaking
Halie's legs, but one of the resident aunts would not hear of it. So Halie's
mother would rub her legs down with greasy dishwater. It never stopped young
Halie from performing her dance steps for the white woman her mother and Aunt
Bell cleaned house for.
When Mahalia was six, her mother Charity died. It was a terrible blow to the
family especially when the decision came as to who would keep Halie and her
brother Peter. Aunt Duke assumed this responsibility, and the children were
forced to work from sun-up to sun-down. Aunt Duke would always inspect the house
using the "white glove" method. If the house was not cleaned properly, Halie
would be beaten with a "cat-o-nine-tails." If one of the other relatives was
unable to do their chores, or clean at their job, Halie or one of her cousins
was expected to perform that particular task. School was hardly an option. Halie
loved to sing and church is where she loved to sing the most. Halie's Aunt Bell
told her that one-day she would sing in front of royalty. Halie would one day
see that prediction of her aunts come true. Mahalia Jackson began her singing
career at the local Mount Moriah Baptist Church. She was baptized in the
Mississippi by Mt. Moriah's pastor, the Rev. E. D. Lawrence, then went back to
the church to "receive the right hand of fellowship."
Name: Mahalia Jackson
Born: 26 October 1911 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Died: 27 January 1972 Evergreen Park, Illinois, USA
Mahalia Jackson (October 26, 1911[1] - January 27, 1972) was an American gospel
singer, widely regarded as the best in the history of the genre and was the
first "Queen of gospel". Mahalia Jackson became one of the most influential
gospel singers in the world. She recorded about 30 albums (mostly for Columbia
Records) during her career, and her 45 rpm records included a dozen "golds" million-sellers.
Mahalia Jackson grew up in the Black Pearl section of the Carrollton
neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana. The three room dwelling on Pitt
Street housed thirteen people. This included Mahalia, whom they affectionately
called Halie for short after her aunt also named Mahalia, her brother
Roosevelt, whom they called Peter, and her mother Charity. Several aunts and
cousins lived in the house as well. Family members conferred upon the aunt the
title of Aunt Duke. She was rewarded with the name because she held the title of
being the boss of the family.
When Halie was born she suffered from a condition known as genu varum or what is
commonly called "bowed legs." The doctors wanted to perform surgery by breaking
Halie's legs, but one of the resident aunts would not hear of it. So Halie's
mother would rub her legs down with greasy dishwater. It never stopped young
Halie from performing her dance steps for the white woman her mother and Aunt
Bell cleaned house for.
When Mahalia was six, her mother Charity died. It was a terrible blow to the
family especially when the decision came as to who would keep Halie and her
brother Peter. Aunt Duke assumed this responsibility, and the children were
forced to work from sun-up to sun-down. Aunt Duke would always inspect the house
using the "white glove" method. If the house was not cleaned properly, Halie
would be beaten with a "cat-o-nine-tails." If one of the other relatives was
unable to do their chores, or clean at their job, Halie or one of her cousins
was expected to perform that particular task. School was hardly an option. Halie
loved to sing and church is where she loved to sing the most. Halie's Aunt Bell
told her that one-day she would sing in front of royalty. Halie would one day
see that prediction of her aunts come true. Mahalia Jackson began her singing
career at the local Mount Moriah Baptist Church. She was baptized in the
Mississippi by Mt. Moriah's pastor, the Rev. E. D. Lawrence, then went back to
the church to "receive the right hand of fellowship."