Detroit may be home to the sounds of Motown, but it has played a key role in American gospel music’s storied history.
Gospel can trace its roots, in part, to music sung in African-American churches: spirituals. Spirituals resulted from the African tradition of call and response and can be traced back to approximately 1750.
Between 1780 and 1830, during what is known as the Second Great Awakening – a national revival within churches of America – African-American church-goers were introduced to singing European hymns. And, by the 1860s, African-American churches were singing the hymns of Dr. Isaac Watts.
In the 1880s, a new type of hymn emerged based on the message of brotherhood. These hymns, traditionally sung by the congregation, were soon sung by individuals and ensembles.
At first, this new gospel met some resistance. It was seen as too personally focused and too blues-like.
However, once the white community accepted this new gospel, it was embraced by the African-American church.
In the 1960s, gospel music was brought to concert halls by artists such as James Cleveland, Edwin Hawkins, Shirley Caesar and Andre Crouch. Cleveland’s and Hawkins’ music attracted a newer and younger audience by incorporating jazz, funk, rock, Latin and other genres with their music.
After the 70s, gospel music became more commercialized and is today very popular. Dr. Bobby Jones hosts a weekly show on BET called "Gospel Explosion," which is the No. 1-rated show on that channel.
Artists like Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams and the Winans also keep Gospel music contemporary and popular.
Detroit, which has had a huge impact on the world of gospel music, is considered the gospel music capital of the world and is the location of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 1968, James Cleveland and others founded the Gospel Music Workshop of America at King Solomon Baptist Church in Northwest Goldberg on Detroit’s west side. This year, the historic church is celebrating its 77th anniversary
Some of Detroit’s most notable gospel groups include The Winans, The Clark Sisters and Commissioned. Aretha Franklin and Vanessa Bell Armstrong are among the city’s numerous gospel soloists.
Franklin, perhaps Detroit’s most renowned gospel singer, received her music training in the church. Her father is the famous Detroit preacher, the Rev. C.L. Franklin.
Detroit is also famous for its many outstanding choirs and directors, such as Thomas Whitfield and The Thomas Whitfield Company, as well as Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ.
For more information about these Detroit artists, check out:
Clark Sisters: http://www.theclarksisters.com
Aretha Franklin: http://www.go.to/arethafranklin
Fred Hammond: http://www.fhammondpresents.net
BeBe Winans: http://www.bebewinans.com
CeCe Winans: http://www.cecewinans.com