Today I thought that I might blog a little bit about Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia Jackson was one of the most popular figures of the 20th Century and it is amazing how quickly the public memory of her is being erased. At one point, during the Depression Era, in a poll taken amongst school children across the United States, Mahalia Jackson recieved more name recognition as someone they admired than Franklin Roosevelt. Her impact was tremendous. While there are many today who still play her gospel recoords, and even more gospel, R&B, and Soul singers who have been influenced by Mahalia,I seldom here anything in the mainstream concerning her progressive politics. Mahalia was a beautiful soul and like most Black people of a certain time and era, believed in right, and didn't believe in playing in white people's evil, with the belief that one should be upright and godfearing.
She was quite good friends with Studs Terkel, the historian and social critic. At one point, Mahalia asked Studs to be the host for her CBS radio show. As a matter of fact, she made it a stipulation that Studs be asked to host the show if she was to do it. So, CBS brought in Studs Terkel and the show begins. At one point, well into the run of the show, CBS headquarters sent down a loyalty oath(one of those relics of the McCarthy era that most employers demanded employees sign, pledging their loyalty to the United States) and demanded that Studs sign it. He refused and CBS threatened to fire him. Mahalia intervened saying, "If you fire Studs Terkel then you find yourself another Mahalia Jackson." And that was that and CBS had nothing else to say and the show went on, with Studs Terkel. Mahalia also sang at the March on Washington in 1963 as well as at Dr. King's Funeral in 1968. She is widely considered one of the best singers of the 20th Century and the best gospel singer of all time. She was a great soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment