January 22, 1915 – Rev. Clarence LaVaughn Franklin born Clarence LaVaughn Walker was a Black American Baptist preacher, a civil rights activist, and father of the legendary r&b/soul and gospel singer Aretha Franklin was born in Sunflower County, MS, on this date in 1915. Known as the man with The Million-Dollar Voice, he served as the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, from 1946 until 1979. At age 16, he became a preacher, initially working the Black itinerant preaching circuit, before settling at New Salem Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained until May 1944. From there he moved to the pulpit of the Friendship Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, where he served until June 1946 when he became pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Throughout the late 1940s and 1950s his fame grew, and he preached throughout the country while maintaining his pulpit at New Bethel. Known as the man with the Million Dollar Voice, Franklin was one of the first ministers to place his sermons on records, and also to broadcast sermons via radio on Sundays. He commanded high fees for his public appearances and among his most famous sermons was The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest and Dry Bones in the Valley, in 2011 The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. In addition to his fame as a preacher, Franklin was known for his fine singing voice. He greatly encouraged his daughter Aretha Franklin in her musical endeavors and during the 1950s took Aretha with him on speaking tours and musical engagements. He also formed an acapella group with Anthony Alexander Chamblee, his first cousin. They only made one album before accepting the call to preach. In addition to his ministry, in the 1950s and 1960s as he became involved in the civil rights movement, and worked to end discriminatory practices against black United Auto Workers members in Detroit. C. L. Franklin was a close friend and supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr., who deeply admired C. L., and also had close relationships with the legendary blues singer Dinah Washington, and with two of gospel musics greatest voices, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward. Clara Ward and her singing groups frequently toured with Franklin, and C.L. and Clara had a long-term romantic relationship. Mahalia and Clara greatly encouraged his daughter Aretha who credits their mentoring and frequent visits to the Franklin home as great influences.HAPPY BIRTHDAY REV. C.L. FRANKLIN!!!!! {R.I.P}
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 01:08:34 +0000
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