This episode tells the story behind The Edwin Hawkins Singers' ceiling-shattering song, ""Oh Happy Day". It was the first gospel song to top the secular charts. Hawkins' use of contemporary sounds - a Latin groove, synthesizers and a soul-influenced lead vocal performance - created a new model for gospel music. But some in the church didn’t want sanctified music to leave the sanctuary.

Part 4: Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul

"The Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul" is a 6-part audio documentary series that explores the history and influence of gospel music on early rock and roll, soul and R&B music. Hosted by Grammy award winning gospel singer CeCe Winans, the series was produced by WXPN and distributed by NPR. The product of over 50 interviews with musicians and gospel historians, archival audio material, and live performances, the documentary series highlights the rich history of Black gospel music from from its roots in spirituals to the artists who brought this music to the mainstream such as Sam Cooke, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Aretha Franklin.

Music

"The Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul" is a 6-part audio documentary series that explores the history and influence of gospel music on early rock and roll, soul and R&amp;B music. Hosted by Grammy award winning gospel singer CeCe Winans, the series was produced by WXPN and distributed by NPR. The product of over 50 interviews with musicians and gospel historians, archival audio material, and live performances, the documentary series highlights the rich history of Black gospel music from from its roots in spirituals to the artists who brought this music to the mainstream such as Sam Cooke, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Aretha Franklin.

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Part 4: Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul

Part 4: Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul

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