|
08 Oct 10 - 08:11 PM (#3002936) Subject: Obit: Albertina Walker, Gospel Lady From: Amos The legendary gospel singer Albertina Walker died today at the age of 81. Born in Chicago in 1929, Walker began singing in the choir of West Point Baptist church at the age of 4. Walker was urged to pursue a gospel singing career by the woman who became her mentor, iconic gospel great Mahalia Jackson. Walker launched her official career at age 22, when, urged by Jackson, she formed her group the Caravans. She was a fixture in body and spirit at Chicago's Gospel Festival since the event's inception, both solo and with the Caravans. Walker had been battling emphysema, and died Friday morning in a Chicago hospital, where she had been since late August. |