Willa
Ward Tribute
Ward Singers, Gay Charmers
Dec. 13, 192o - Aug. 12, 2012
Willa Ward, singer with the legendary Gospel group, the Ward
Singers, died in Philadelphia on August 12, 2012. She was 91. Ward
sang on the group's 1950 hit record "Surely God Is Able" (said to be
the first Gospel record to sell a million copies) and dozens of other
recordings by the Philadelphia Gospel group. Willa Ward was also a part
of the R&B group, the Gay Charmers that recorded for the Grand
label. She also published an autobiography called "How I Got Over".
Willarene Ward was born in Philadelphia, PA, on December 13,
1920. Willa was the last of the original Ward Singers, the best known of
which was her younger sister, Clara. The group was formed in 1934 by
their mother, Gertrude, who had her daughters sing in a local church.
Early in their career, the group was called the Consecrated Gospel Singers.
They were soon singing in churches up and down the East Coast. Signing
with Savoy Records, the Ward Singers became one of the most recognized Gospel
groups of all time.
Ward Singers sheet music (ca. early 1950's)
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
In 1958, Willa Ward recorded at least one secular record in a
group called the Gay Charmers (Grand Records).
The Gay Charmers: Doris Gibson (top),
Della Jo Campbell (left), Willa Ward (right)
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
We are fortunate that Willa Ward took the time to do an
excellent autobiography, "How I Got Over" to document her long career in
music.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2012. All
Rights Reserved.
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