Clara Ward

USA, 1947–1973

American gospel singer (1924-1973) whose full-voiced, dramatic delivery with the Ward Singers brought gospel performance onto secular concert stages, and was a direct model for Aretha Franklin.

MusicRoots documents 0 artists who influenced Clara Ward and 1 artist Clara Ward influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Which artists did Clara Ward influence?

• Aretha Franklin — Clara Ward sang at Aretha's father's church — her spiritual expressiveness was Aretha's direct and earliest model.