2010 Death Albertina Walker, a famous U.S. gospel singer known as the 'Queen of Gospel' dies in Chicago 1999 Death Boxcar Willie, born Lecil Travis Martin, guitarist, American hobo music singer, sang country, gospel music, dies from leukemia, in Branson, Missouri, at age 67 1995 Death Vernell Townsend, blues/gospel singer, dies at 64 1995 Death Paul Foster, singer, Soul Stirrers gospel group member, dies at 75 1995 Death Doris Mae Akers, gospel singer/songwriter, dies at 72 1994 Death Dan Smith, harmonica/gospel singer, dies at 83 1994 Death Harvey Watkins, gospel Singer, dies at 64 1994 Death Mattie Moss Clark, gospel Singer, dies at 69 1994 Death Marion Williams, gospel singer, dies of diabetes at 66 1994 Death Willie Mae Ford Smith, gospel Singer/Songwriter, dies at 89 1992 Death Thomas Whitfield, gospel vocalist, dies of heart attack at 38 1988 Event "Gospel at Colonus" closes at Lunt Fontanne Theater New York City after 61 performances 1988 Event "Gospel at Colonus" opens at Lunt Fontanne Theater New York City for 61 performances 1981 Birthday Jonny Lang, born in Fargo, North Dakota, born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr., singer, songwriter, guitarist, rock, gospel, blues musician, plays Benedict guitars, Fender Telecaster Thinline, voice sounds like veteran blues singer, toured with Sting, performed for President Bill Clinton 1981 Birthday Ray J, born in Carson, California, singer, record producer, actor, son of gospel singer William Norwood 1975 Death Don Robey, U.S. gospel/impresario/producer, dies at 71 1972 Death Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer (He Got the Whole World), dies at 60 1971 Event New York Times reports growing interest of white youth in black gospel music 1960 Birthday Amy Grant, Augusta Georgia, gospel/rock singer, 'Glory of Love', 'Baby Baby' 1959 Birthday Michael Winans, gospel singer, Winans 1956 Birthday Ronald Winans, gospel singer, Winans 1948 Birthday Merry Clayton, born in Gert Town, New Orleans, singer, actress, sang gospel and soul music, famous for singing with The Rolling Stones' song 'Gimme Shelter' with Mick Jagger 1946 Birthday Eddie Holman, born in Norfolk, Virginia, recording artist, rhythm and blues, gospel, pop, soul genres, known for hit 'Hey There Lonely Girl' 1945 Birthday Vernon Guy, U.S. gospel singer, Cool Sounds, Sharpees 1945 Event Gilbert Dodds, record miler (4:05.3), retires to do gospel work 1943 Birthday J[ames] J[ay] Barnes, U.S. gospel/singer, Please Let Me In 1942 Birthday James Carr, U.S., gospel singer, To Love Somebody 1942 Birthday Bobby McClure, U.S. gospel singer, Don't Mess Up a Good Thing 1942 Birthday Otis Clay, U.S. gospel/R&B-singer, That's how it is 1941 Birthday Dan Penn, U.S. songwriter/producer/gospel singer, Out in Left Field 1940 Birthday Cristy Lane, U.S., country/gospel singer 1939 Birthday Agatha N "Kim" Weston, U.S. gospel/singer, It Takes Two 1939 Birthday O. V. Wright, born in Leno, Tennessee, singer, sang gospel, considered southern soul artist, first pop recording, 'That's How Strong My Love Is' 1938 Birthday Marvin E "Marv" Johnson, U.S. gospel/R&B singer, Move 2 mountains 1938 Birthday Johnnie Taylor, U.S. gospel singer, I Believe in You 1934 Birthday McKinley Mitchell, U.S. gospel/singer, The Town I Live In 1934 Birthday Austin "Ted" Taylor, U.S. gospel/R&B-singer, Be Ever Wonderful 1931 Birthday Boxcar Willie, born in Red Oak, Texas, born Lecil Travis Martin, guitarist, American hobo music singer, sang country, gospel music 1929 Birthday Willem Kersters, Flemish composer, Parwati, Gospel Song 1928 Birthday James "Jimmy" Johnson, U.S. gospel/blues singer/guitarist 1928 Birthday Roscoe Robinson, U.S. gospel singer 1927 Birthday Marion Williams, U.S. gospel singers, Stars of Faith 1923 Birthday Doris Mae Akers, gospel singer and songwriter 1920 Birthday Paul Foster, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, singer, Soul Stirrers gospel group member, sang with Robert Harris, Sam Cooke, Rising Stars, Golden Echoes, memorable recording 'Be With Me Jesus' 1915 Birthday Roebuck "Pops" Staples, U.S. gospel/singer, Staple Singers 1911 Birthday Mahalia Jackson, New Orleans, gospel singer, Whole World in his Hands 1911 Birthday Dan Smith, harmonica/gospel singer 1908 Death Ira D Sankey, U.S. evangelist/composer/singer (Gospel Hymns), dies at 67 1904 Birthday Willie Mae "Mother" Smith, gospel singer/evangelist folk artist 1903 Birthday Don Robey, U.S. gospel singer 1883 Birthday Robert H Lightfoot, English theologist/exegetist, St. John's Gospel 1840 Birthday Ira D Sankey, U.S. evangelist/composer/singer, Gospel hymns 1800 Event Pope Pius VII calls on French bishops to return to Gospel principles
