One of the most admired vocalists from the Golden Age of Gospel Music was Gloria Griffin. Like so many singers, she started singing in church at a very young age. She spent a year with the famed Caravans and toured with Mahalia Jackson. But in 1957, she joined the legendary Roberta Martin Singers. Gloria quickly became the featured soloist and songwriter, including their hit “God Specializes,” as well as “I’m So Grateful” and “God is Still on the Throne.”
Eventually, Griffin began a solo career, incorporating the more modern sounds she was hearing everywhere. One of her best releases is the solo album Gospel’s Queen for R&B powerhouse, Atlantic Records. The track “Bless the Lord” from that album displays both her incomparable vocals and memorable songwriting skills.
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MUSIC: Gloria Griffin, “Bless the Lord” 45
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.