It is difficult to assimilate the word gospel without mentioning Albertina Walker, friend and confidant protected Mahalia Jackson, the legend of this genre.
The singer, who recorded over 60 albums, founded 22 years of age his own gospel group called The Caravan, which was very successful in the 50's of last century and a springboard for many stars.
At that time these musicians have suffered racism. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Walker said that on one occasion threatened to slit the throat of a bus driver insulted.
"But everything I had in the bag was a pen. However, he was so frightened he apologized and called me young lady," he said then.
Albertina was born in 1929. At age four she started singing in the choir of the Baptist church in West Point, under the direction of Professor Pete Williams. At that time the black church was at the heart of this cultural awakening and gospel music slowly gained acceptance in other temples through the efforts of people like Thomas A. Dorsey, Sallie Martin, Kenneth Morris, Rosetta Thorpe, Mahalia Jackson and Albertina.
His group consisted Caravans Elyse Yancy, Nellie Grace Daniels and Hopkins OraLee Samson, who achieved success with pieces like Sweeping Through The City, Mary Do not You Weep, Walk Around Heaven and Lord Keep Me Day By Day.
Then came his triumph with his first solo project Put a Little Love in Your Heart, in 1975. Since then, his appearances at various venues around the world have been numerous. He sang for former U.S. presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, and the Nobel Peace Prize and former South African president Nelson Mandela.
She was nominated for a Grammy 11 times, for which he won one in 1995 for best traditional gospel album, was nominated five times Gold Records, three Stellar Award, among many others.
Albertina Walker entered the Hall of Fame Gospel Music in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2001, and received the keys to several cities.