The Inspirational Journey of Mahalia Jackson: A Gospel Music Icon
Mahalia Jackson, the renowned Gospel singer, overcame poverty and hardship to rise as an influential figure in the music industry. Her powerful voice and commitment to her faith led her to international stardom, where she used her platform to support the Civil Rights Movement, leaving a lasting impact on music and society.
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Mahalia Jackson Gospel Singer
Born: Oct. 26, 1911 New Orleans Orleans Parish Louisiana, USA Death:Jan. 27, 1972 Evergreen Park Cook County Illinois, USA
Third of six children Born in poverty in a three-room "shot-gun" shack Shotgun houses consist of three to five rooms in a row with no hallways and have a narrow, rectangular structure. Father: John A. Jackson, was a stevedore, barber and minister Mother Charity Clark was a maid and laundress; she died when Mahalia was five Shotgun shack
Early Life Started singing at 4 years old in the Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Brought up in a devout Christian family Influenced by the secular sounds of blues artists like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey
Teen and older Moved to Chicago as a teen to study nursing Joined the Greater Salem Baptist Church and became a member of the Johnson Gospel Singers Then started working with Thomas A. Dorsey, a gospel composer; the two performed around the U.S. Had a number of jobs -- working as a laundress, beautician and flower shop owner Wed Isaac Hockenhull in 1936, with the two later divorcing.
Making it Big Made some recordings in the 1930s Major success with "Move On Up a Little Higher" in 1947 sold millions of copies and became the highest selling gospel single in history. She Made radio and television appearances and went on tour Performed in Carnegie Hall on October 4, 1950 to a racially integrated audience. 1952 tour in Europe Had her own gospel program on the CBS television network in 1954 and scored a pop hit with "Rusty Old Halo."
International Star 1956: debut on The Ed Sullivan Show 1958 appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, performing with Duke Ellington and his band. 1959 Jackson appeared in the film Imitation of Life. By the end of the decade, much of Jackson s work featured crossover production styles; she was an international figure, with a performance itinerary that included singing at President John F. Kennedy s inauguration.
Civil Rights Work Active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. She Sang at the March on Washington at the request of her friend Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.in 1963, performing I Been Buked and I Been Scorned.
March on Washington August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 Americans gathered in Washington, D.C., for a political rally known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organized by a number of civil rights and religious groups Designed to shed light on the political and social challenges African Americans continued to face across the country. March became a key moment in the growing struggle for civil rights in the United States Culminated in Martin Luther King Jr. s "I Have a Dream" speech, a spirited call for racial justice and equality.
Later Years King's death in 1968: sang at his funeral and then largely withdrew from public political activities. 1969, she published her autobiography Movin On Up. Hospitalizations for severe health problems Final concert in 1971 in Munich, Germany Died of a heart attack on January 27, 1972. Remembered and loved for her impassioned delivery, her deep commitment to spirituality and her lasting inspiration to listeners of all faiths.
