Marion Williams (August 29, 1927 - July 2, 1994) was a legendary American g… Read Full Bio ↴Marion Williams (August 29, 1927 - July 2, 1994) was a legendary American gospel singer, often regarded as one of the most powerful voices in American music history. A powerful singer with a preternaturally broad range, able to reach the highest registers of the soprano range without losing either purity or volume, she could also swoop down to growling low notes in the style of a country preacher. Williams' singing helped make the Ward Singers nationally popular when they began recording in 1948, and also inspired Rock 'n' Roll pioneer Little Richard's signature wail.
She was born in Miami, to a religiously devout mother and musically inclined father. As was common in the area, Williams was exposed to African American blues and jazz, alongside Caribbean calypso. Poverty caused Williams to leave school at fourteen, working with her mother at a laundry. She was singing at church and on street corners, inspired by a wide range of musicians including Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the Smith Jubilee Singers. She stuck with gospel, however, in spite of pressure to switch to popular blues tunes or the opera.
Williams was invited to join the Ward Singers when they heard her singing during a visit to her sister in Philadelphia in 1946. Williams did so in 1947, staying with them for eleven years. Her first recording with the group was "How Far Am I from Canaan" (1948), followed by the breakthrough "Surely God Is Able", which launched Williams and the rest of the group into superstardom. Their concerts were mobbed by frenzied fans.
Dissatisfied with the low pay she was receiving while starring for the group, Williams left the Ward Singers in 1958, followed by most of the rest of the group, to form the Stars of Faith. The Stars of Faith was unable, however, to reproduce the success the Ward Singers had enjoyed, as Williams retreated from the spotlight to give other members of the group more opportunity to star.
The group's career recovered, however, in 1961, when it appeared in Black Nativity, an off-Broadway production, and toured across North America and Europe. In 1965, Williams began a solo career but soon returned to Miami for her mother's funeral. While there, she felt reinspired to continue her career and began touring college campuses across the country. Her perhaps best-known hit is from this period -- "Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go". In 1991, she performed as a gospel singer in the film Fried Green Tomatoes, though her scene is available only in the director's cut. The movie was dedicated to her. She was honored as a MacArthur Fellow in 1993 and died in 1994.
[edit] External links
* http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4784252
She was born in Miami, to a religiously devout mother and musically inclined father. As was common in the area, Williams was exposed to African American blues and jazz, alongside Caribbean calypso. Poverty caused Williams to leave school at fourteen, working with her mother at a laundry. She was singing at church and on street corners, inspired by a wide range of musicians including Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the Smith Jubilee Singers. She stuck with gospel, however, in spite of pressure to switch to popular blues tunes or the opera.
Williams was invited to join the Ward Singers when they heard her singing during a visit to her sister in Philadelphia in 1946. Williams did so in 1947, staying with them for eleven years. Her first recording with the group was "How Far Am I from Canaan" (1948), followed by the breakthrough "Surely God Is Able", which launched Williams and the rest of the group into superstardom. Their concerts were mobbed by frenzied fans.
Dissatisfied with the low pay she was receiving while starring for the group, Williams left the Ward Singers in 1958, followed by most of the rest of the group, to form the Stars of Faith. The Stars of Faith was unable, however, to reproduce the success the Ward Singers had enjoyed, as Williams retreated from the spotlight to give other members of the group more opportunity to star.
The group's career recovered, however, in 1961, when it appeared in Black Nativity, an off-Broadway production, and toured across North America and Europe. In 1965, Williams began a solo career but soon returned to Miami for her mother's funeral. While there, she felt reinspired to continue her career and began touring college campuses across the country. Her perhaps best-known hit is from this period -- "Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go". In 1991, she performed as a gospel singer in the film Fried Green Tomatoes, though her scene is available only in the director's cut. The movie was dedicated to her. She was honored as a MacArthur Fellow in 1993 and died in 1994.
[edit] External links
* http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4784252
Packin' Up
Marion Williams Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Packin' Up' by these artists:
Dusty Springfield So if I give up (yes, I'm packin' up) Movin' out…
Fats Domino I'm packin' packin' I'm packin' up got enough This woman tal…
Johnny Hallyday Prends ma lettre Porte-lui la nouvelle Et dis-lui que demain…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Marion Williams:
Cool Down Yonder Cool down there along the banks, banks of Jordan It's cool…
He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother The road is long With many a winding turns That leads us…
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother The road is long With many a winding turns That leads us…
Heaven Help Us All Heaven help the child who never had a home, Heaven help…
People Got To Be Free All the world over, so easy to see People everywhere just…
Put Your Hand In The Hand Put your hand in the hand of the man Who stilled…
The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow I am tired and weary but I must toil on Till…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@musicmike4145
Marion Williams was a phenomenal singer. She also had a captivating smile!
@georgemoore528
Yes, she does.
@anthonyt2034
I have only seen her singing when she was older. She is a BEAST..I love this old fashion gospel singing.
@mrfester42
So many people call themselves singers or vocalists but this lady is the real deal!. Little Richards credits her for his famous falsetto and Paul McCartney credits Little Richard for his. So... when you hear McCartneys famous falsetto in a Beatles song remember that it had its start with Marion Williams. Is that cool or what?
@RodrickColbert
Let's see the evidence! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJW-XQtycmw
@RodrickColbert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dnKtGrrXnc
@RodrickColbert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdlfZ4213zM
@RodrickColbert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQtQAVbYHkQ
@Dino-su2wh
is this singing? this is scream
@dgary9832
SING! S.I.P. Ms. Marion Williams! You are GREATLY missed!😊💙🙌