Gospel Singer Albertina Walker Dies At 81
October 9th, 2010 - 7:24 pm ICT by GDBy Gina Gomez
Oct 9, (THAINDIAN NEWS) “Queen of Gospel” Albertina Walker died at the age of 81, due to respiratory failure, after suffering from emphysema for a long time. She was hospitalized shortly after her 81st birthday on Aug 29. Referred to as “the Queen of Gospel”, she made many sing praises of the lord with her singing group “Caravans”. She helped many great singers build their careers with the likes of Rev. James Cleveland, Inez Andrews and Pastor Shirley Caesar with a string of hits in the 1950’s and 1960’s. She always acted like a true leader and allowed her performers to hog the limelight.
A protege of Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker achieved great fame with her group “Caravans”, which was formed in 1951. Her style of singing has been described as “unusual but pleasant style of singing”. The Caravans first big hit “Mary Don’t You Weep”, made them the most popular gospel group in the United States. She even achieved great success as a solo artist. “Songs of the Church: live in Memphis”, won a Grammy award in 1995, Albertina Walker herself was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of fame in 2001. She was honored in 2002 in a White House ceremony by President George W. Bush.
Albertina Walker was a singer who never sang for money or fame. Her motive was to touch people’s heart and fill it with light, she said in 1998, “I wanted to stand up before before audiences and deliver the message, win souls for Christ”. I wanted to touch dying men and slipping women”. Her death is a tragic loss which cannot be compensated but the legacy which she has left behind will survive forever.
- Gospel singer Albertina Walker dies at the age of 81 years - Oct 09, 2010
- Gospel Singer Marva Wright dies aged 62 years - Mar 24, 2010
- Celebration Of Gospel 2010 Grabs Immense Attention - Jan 11, 2010
- For Harshdeep, lyrics are backbone of a song (With Image) - May 15, 2012
- Charlize Theron to be honoured - Mar 31, 2012
- Shirley Bassey to sing at Kate Moss wedding - May 30, 2011
- Julie Andrews to get lifetime achievement Grammy - Dec 23, 2010
- Lata, Dev Anand recall Kishore on his birth anniversary - Aug 04, 2011
- Julie Andrews to receive lifetime achievement Grammy award - Dec 23, 2010
- Elvis at 75 - still rocking n' rolling - Jan 05, 2010
- Las Vegas gambling debt trial reset for NBA's Antoine Walker - Nov 19, 2010
- Susan Boyle Finds Her Dream Come True As She Sings For The Pope - Sep 19, 2010
- Opera Singer Shirley Verrett Dies At 79 - Nov 07, 2010
- Janey Cutler surprises all in 'Britain's Got Talent' - May 12, 2010
- 'Sexually harrassed' Mexican sports reporter won't bare butt for Playboy - Dec 14, 2010
Tags: albertina walker, george w bush, gina gomez, gospel group, gospel music hall of fame, gospel singer, hall of fame, inez andrews, james cleveland, mahalia jackson, mary don, music hall of fame, pastor shirley caesar, president george w bush, respiratory failure, rev james, singing group, solo artist, tragic loss, true leader