October 26

Mahalia Jackson

"The Queen of Gospel" Mahalia Jackson was born on October 26, 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jackson was recognized internationally by many as the greatest gospel singer of her time.

As a matter of fact, her first debut album for Columbia Records in 1954 was entitled "The World's Greatest Gospel Singer". She was the first gospel singer to sing at Carnegie Hall in 1950. Jackson was visible in the explosive era of civil rights in America. She sang "How I Got Over" and “I Been ‘Buked and I Been Scorned.” at the 1963 March on Washington. During Rev. Martin Luther King's funeral, she sang "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". Jackson's last album recorded was "What The World Needs Now" in 1969.

The Grammy Award winning Jackson sold millions of records, and was posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.  Jackson died on January 27, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois at age 60.