1932Reputable sourceWell documented
Thomas Dorsey and Gospel Music
On the timeline · around 1932 · The Recording Age
What happened
The Chicago musician Thomas A. Dorsey, once a blues pianist, fused the sounds of the blues and jazz with sacred Christian lyrics to create modern gospel music. After the deaths of his wife and infant son in 1932, he wrote 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord,' which became one of the most beloved gospel songs ever written.
Why it matters
Dorsey is called the father of Black gospel music, a tradition that would shape soul, R&B, and rock, and give voice to the African American church and, later, the civil rights movement.
Sources
- PBS. This Far by Faith: Thomas Dorsey · Reputable source
Related timelines
- The Civil Rights Movement → — The music of the Black church