Great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson was born poor on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her nickname became Haley. Haley’s mom, Charity, died when Haley was only 5 or 6 years old. As a result, young Haley and her brother had to work for their Aunt Duke, who raised them. Haley began her singing career at Mount Moriah Baptist Church.
At 16, Haley moved to Chicago (1927). She began “touring” churches in the city with the Johnson Gospel Singers, an early professional gospel group. In 1929 she met Thomas A. Dorsey, the “Father of Gospel Music.” They began a 14-year association of playing and singing in many places. All her life Haley refused to sing music that was not religious (secular music). Also, she married 2 times and divorced 2 times.
Haley’s first recording was “God Gonna Separate the Wheat From the Tares (weeds)” (1934), but her first hit was a song by William Brewster called “Move On Up A Little Higher.” It was hard to believe, but it sold 8 million copies! Later, when Haley sang “Silent Night” on the radio in Denmark, more than 20 thousand people called the radio station to request a copy of the song.
In 1954, Down Beat music magazine said: “It is generally agreed that the greatest spiritual singer now alive is Mahalia Jackson.” She was the first gospel singer to perform at New York’s beautiful Carnegie Hall (1950). Also, she sang at President Kennedy’s inauguration. Eight years later, when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated (killed), Haley sang “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” at his funeral.
When Haley died in Chicago, many famous people attended and participated in her funeral. Singer Aretha Franklin sang Haley’s ‘signature song’: “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” (written by Thomas A. Dorsey, who is mentioned above). Haley is “entombed” (she lies) at Providence Memorial Park in Metairie, Louisiana. The granddaughter of a slave and good friend of Martin Luther King Jr., she received many honors and awards, including a U.S. postage stamp with her picture in 1998. She performed many times without getting enough rest. She once said: “I have hopes that my singing will break down some of the hate and fear that divide the white and black people in this country.” With her money, Haley opened her own beauty parlor and flower shop. All in all, Haley made her “joyful noise unto the Lord.”
