Gospel

The Golden Age of Gospel

Starting in the 1940s, GOSPEL’s hour 2 explores the Golden Age of Gospel — the dramatic explosion of Black sacred music and the segregated highways of the American South — through the successful careers of Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin. As the lines between the sacred and secular blur, gospel music becomes the powerful soundtrack of the freedom struggle.

The Golden Age of Gospel

53m 1s

Starting in the 1940s, GOSPEL’s hour 2 explores the Golden Age of Gospel — the dramatic explosion of Black sacred music and the segregated highways of the American South — through the successful careers of Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin. As the lines between the sacred and secular blur, gospel music becomes the powerful soundtrack of the freedom struggle.

Previews + Extras

  • The March on Washington Showcased Sermons and Songs: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The March on Washington Showcased Sermons and Songs

    S1 E2 - 2m 50s

    The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom would be a showcase for sermon and song. The day's program packed, King only had a few minutes to deliver the speech of a lifetime. And, as always, Mahalia was there to lift him up.

  • Musicians' Powerful Response to Birmingham Church Bombing: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Musicians' Powerful Response to Birmingham Church Bombing

    S1 E2 - 5m 12s

    Less than a month after the March on Washington, four little girls were murdered at a Sunday School in Birmingham. Several days later, a gathering of musicians by the gifted choir master James Cleveland would offer a powerful message of resilience.

  • "Move on Up a Little Higher" Changes the Gospel Game: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "Move on Up a Little Higher" Changes the Gospel Game

    S1 E2 - 4m 47s

    Until the 1940s, male quartets dominated gospel recordings. But, in 1947, Apollo Records, a small independent label decided to take a chance on Mahalia Jackson, an accomplished singer on the Chicago gospel scene. The success of "Move on Up a Little Higher" proved that Gospel music could be both spiritual and profitable.

  • Dionne on Mahalia: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Dionne on Mahalia

    S1 E2 - 42s

    "She believed and trusted in god, and was not ashamed -- and would let you know that."

    Dionne Warwick weighs in on what was special about Mahalia Jackson's voice.

  • Reverend C.L. Franklin Goes on the Record: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Reverend C.L. Franklin Goes on the Record

    S1 E2 - 1m 29s

    Seeking to grow his audience beyond New Bethel's walls, Rev. Franklin recorded more than 70 albums of sermons with the help of Joe Von Battle, a local record store owner in Detroit.

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