Mahalia Jackson

Birth Name:

Mahalia Jackson

Birth Place:

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actress

Was one of Dr․ Martin Luther King Jr․'s close friends during the civil rights movement
Won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972
During the 1940s, she first gained fame as a gospel singer in the choir at Greater Salem Baptist Church in Chicago
Worked as a nursemaid, scrubbed floors and packed dates in a factory as a girl
Quote: "[to Duke Ellington] "Duke, my music is the music of the Lord․""
A famed gospel singer, her hit recordings included "Even Me, Lord," "I can Put My Trust in Jesus" and "In the Upper Room․"
Sang before European royalty and toured the U․S․ extensively, making five concert appearances at New York's Carnegie Hall
Loved blues singer Bessie Smith, especially her recording of "Careless Love․"
Sang "Precious Lord," Dr․ Martin Luther King Jr․'s favorite hymn, at his funeral services in 1968
Sang the national anthem in 1960 at the inauguration of President Kennedy

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