Author(s): Steve Turner

Music & Showbusiness | Secondhand

This is the definitive guide to Gospel music, from early spirituals to Urban Gospel. Gospel music is the most highly praised but least well known of the influences to contemporary rock, soul and rap. The 1950s term 'rhythm and blues' should really have been 'rhythm and gospel'. Rock 'n' roll pioneers such as Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and soul artists like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin all acknowledge their debt to Gospel music. This engaging, colour-illustrated volume is packed with stories and original interviews covering: the history of gospel music, black church, slavery; Spirituals, and the Fisk Jubilee singers; 1920s and Thomas Dorsey; Pre war: Swan Silvertones, Pilgrim Travellers; Golden age: 1945-1960s; 1960s Mahalia; Mighty Clouds of Joy; Big Business 70s; 80s Aretha Franklin; and, Urban Gospel, (dance, hip hop and r & b.).