Mahalia Jackson

MAHALIA JACKSON d1972. American gospel singer, widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. With a career spanning 40 years, she was integral to the development and spread of gospel blues in black churches throughout the US. During a time when racial segregation was pervasive in American society, she met considerable and unexpected success in a recording career, selling an estimated 22 million records and performing in front of integrated and secular audiences in concert halls around the world. She died in Illinois aged 60 on January 27th 1972