Jackson, Mahalia (1911-1972), was the best-known gospel singer in the world. Her singing combined powerful vitality with dignity and strong religious beliefs. She disliked being identified with nonreligious music, though her singing style revealed the influence of jazz .
Jackson was born in New Orleans on Oct. 26, 1911. She sang in the choir of the church of which her father was minister. In 1927, she moved to Chicago, where she worked as a hotel maid and packed dates in a food plant. She also was a soloist in the choir of a Baptist church. She began to record in the 1930’s and sang on gospel tours.
Jackson’s 1947 recording “Move On Up a Little Higher” sold over 1 million copies and earned her the nickname “The Gospel Queen.” By the late 1940’s, she was attracting large audiences among the general public. She became associated with the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. Jackson died on Jan. 27, 1972. In 1997, Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a performer who had an early influence on rock music .
