An Illustrated History of Gospel

Far beyond its stereotypic image of robed choirs, gospel music--through its solo singers and quartets, its impresarios and recording companies--has helped to give voice to the history of black people in America as well as shaping more obviously secular musical forms such as blues and rock 'n' roll.

In this compelling and lively study, Steve Turner tells the story of gospel music against the backdrop of the social and economic changes taking place in the United States over a century and a half. He traces how the music expressed and nurtured the spiritual life of African Americans who embraced Christianity in the context of slavery and then in segregation and how it now occupies a prominent place in the worshipping life of Christians, black and white, throughout America and around the world. In addition Steve Turner also traces gospel music's impact as a musical form, its movement into the mainstream of popular music and its major period of popularity and influence in the middle decades of the twentieth century. The book also features original interviews conducted by the author with many of the legendary figures of gospel music and is illustrated with photographs throughout.