Clara Ward
Clara Ward ( * April 21, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, † January 16, 1973 in Los Angeles, California ) was an American gospel singer, composer and arranger. With their vocal group, The Famous Ward Singers, she had, especially in the 1940s and 1950s great successes.
Biography
Clara Ward's mother Gertrude Ward (1901-1981) founded 1931, the Ward Singers, consisting of herself and her daughters Clara and Willa. They appeared under different names, such as "The Consecrated Gospel Singers " or " The Ward Trio". In addition to her commitments with the Ward Trio Clara made 1940 her first solo recordings.
As of 1943, the Ward Singers across the U.S. go. 1947 rose from Willa Ward, their place was taken by Henrietta Waddy. A little later, Marion Williams made the trio a quartet. 1948 published the first pictures of the group., 1950, " Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers" for the first time at New York's Carnegie Hall, along with the likes of Mahalia Jackson.
While Gertrude Ward took over the organization of performances and tours, Clara Ward was responsible for the musical field. It further singers were hired, even a second group called "The Clara Ward Specials" together. However, the rest of the singers of Gertrude Ward were very poorly paid.
1958 came the break: Marion Williams, Henrietta Waddy, Frances Steadman and Kitty Parham left the Ward Singers and formed their own singing group, " The Stars of Faith". After the success of the Ward Singers subsided. In the 1960s she appeared in nightclubs and Las Vegas, which they lost many of their religious followers.
Occasionally sang Clara Ward in the recordings of other artists in the choir, such as when Dee Dee Sharp's number 1 hit Mashed Potato Time ( 1962). In 1963 she was the first gospel singer who appeared on Broadway. She was also the first gospel singer who recorded with a symphony orchestra. In the 1960s, she turned increasingly to popular music.
1968 Clara Ward played in the Hollywood movie " A Time To Sing " with Hank Williams in the lead role. 1968 and 1969 were the Ward Singers on behalf of the U.S. government in Vietnam to American soldiers. Tours have taken her in this time around the world. TV appearances were on the agenda.
Early 1970 Clara Ward withdrew due to their poor health from the music business. She died in January 1973 after two strokes in Los Angeles. At her funeral in Philadelphia sang Aretha Franklin and her father Rev. CL Franklin, who belonged to Clara's closest friends. At a memorial service a few days later in Los Angeles Marion Williams sang.
Awards
1977 Clara Ward was admitted posthumously into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Appeared in 1998 in the U.S., a 32 -cent postage stamp with her portrait.