Happy birthday, Mahalia Jackson! October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972. Jackson was an African-American gospel singer possessing a powerful contralto voice, referred to as "The Queen of Gospel". She became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world, and was heralded internationally as a singer and civil rights activist; entertainer Harry Belafonte called her "the single most powerful black woman in the United States". Jackson recorded about 30 albums during her career, and her 45 rpm records included a dozen "golds"—million-sellers.
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