The Golden Age of Gospel

The legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson provided the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement, financial support with her checkbook and emotional solace in Dr. King's darkest hours.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

"I listen to C.L. Franklin still to this very day, because of his skill at the preaching exercise."

Rev. Dwight Andrews discusses C.L. Franklin and what Black preaching is.