SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Dorothy Love Coates and the Original Harmonettes

One of the true titans of gospel music was Birmingham’s larger-than-life Dorothy Love Coates. Along with the Original Gospel Harmonettes, Coates wrote and sang a host of hits for the Specialty label in the 1950s and ‘60s, beginning with “I’m Sealed” in 1951 and including “Get Away Jordan,” “You Better Run”, the apocalyptic “The Message,” and the classic, “(You Can’t Hurry God) He’s Right on Time.”

But in the close-knit community of singers in gospel music’s golden age, Dot Coates was more than that – she was the unofficial minister to the other artists. She was also a fiery preacher and her songs often include memorable sermonettes. Coates was a leader in the civil rights movement in Birmingham in the 1960s and on more than one occasion was forced to hide from segregationists and Klansmen. And it was this song -- “99 ½ Won’t Do” – that was adopted by the movement and was sung as a call to action in many civil rights actions and cities.

I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.

PREVIOUS EPISODES OF SHOUT! BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC MOMENTS

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Rev. James Cleveland and the Salem Inspirational Choir

The Rev. James Cleveland leads the Salem Inspirational Choir in a stirring version of his hit song, “I Don’t Feel Noways Tired.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Back Home Choir

The Back Home Choir specialized in choral arrangements of the old spirituals, including this upbeat rendition of “King Jesus is All.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Myrna Summers

The multi-talented Myrna Summers can sing anything – but she’s rarely sounded better than on this haunting spiritual, “Stand By Me.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Gospel Seekers

The Gospel Seekers’ “I’ve Got Jesus” is an old time, foot-stompin’, gospel rave up of the highest order!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Jackson Gospel Singers

New Orleans’ fiery Jackson Gospel Singers released a fistful of superb gospel songs in the mid-1950s, including “I Can’t Walk This Highway.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Marv Johnson

Early Motown pioneer Marv Johnson recorded a gospel LP in 1962, which featured this up tempo version of the old COGIC chant/song, “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Christland Singers

Led by the legendary R.H. Harris, the Christland Singers recorded a number of memorable songs, including their version of “I Am Too Close.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Townsend Sisters

Produced by the legendary Willie Mitchell in Memphis, the Townsend Sisters’ “You Can’t Hurry God” is a gospel powerhouse!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith, and Deliverance Choir

Few could match the power of Evangelist Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance Choir of Philadelphia!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Harold Smith Majestics

The Harold Smith Majestics could sing anything, from light classic to gospelized Broadway tunes to classic gospel like “The Lord Will Carry You Through.”