Mahalia Jackson

USA, 1931–1971

American gospel singer, known as the Queen of Gospel and the best-known performer in the field during the 20th century. She declined to record secular material, and sang at the 1963 March on Washington.

MusicRoots documents 1 artist who influenced Mahalia Jackson and 8 artists Mahalia Jackson influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Mahalia Jackson?

• Bessie Smith — Jackson admitted in interviews that as a young woman she secretly listened to Bessie Smith records despite her family's religious ban on secular music.

Which artists did Mahalia Jackson influence?

• The Weather Girls — Both singers honed their powerhouse voices in church — the gospel tradition of Mahalia Jackson is the foundation of the Weather Girls' 'church you could dance to'.
• Donna Summer — Donna Summer was an admirer of Mahalia Jackson and sang gospel in church — the sacred power beneath the disco.
• Cissy Houston — Cissy's world was gospel — her family group the Drinkard Singers opened for Mahalia Jackson at Carnegie Hall in 1951; Jackson was the towering model of the tradition Cissy sang.
• Dionne Warwick — Warwick began in gospel — church choirs and the family Drinkard Singers — with Mahalia Jackson's gospel the foundation beneath her later pop poise.
• Tina Turner — Mahalia Jackson was a massive influence — the gospel power of Tina's church roots channelled into rock'n'roll.
• Nina Simone — Simone was a church pianist from age ten — the gospel of Mahalia Jackson's tradition was the sacred root beneath her classical and jazz training.
• Amy Winehouse — Gospel had a major impact on Winehouse, who admired Mahalia Jackson.
• Little Richard — Richard's first models were gospel singers, Jackson among them: the range, and the held declamatory phrasing, come from that side before they meet boogie piano.