Tribute to Gertrude Ward- "The Storm Is Passing Over"

[simon4186]

I didn't know Mrs. Ward, but I do believe that she was a mean little old lady. I also feel that she really and truly loved God. And finally,her singing... Uh, well.... All I can say about it is that I listen to this song a few times a week so that's telling in itself. SIMON4186

[simon4186]

Sing it now, sing it! As I always like to say, there would would be no rock and roll, soul, or Motown without gospel. SIMON4186

[Rowoches]

@simon4186: Yes indeed. Mahalia Jackson said the same thing also.

[simon4186]

The thing about this, next to the message, is the fact that she is singing totally uninhibited and giving it herbest, and she must have had some idea of how she sounded. She's singing avout God and I can hear her faith in His greatness and His realness. It (the song) has grown on me.

[simon4186]

So what I'm unclear on is:

1) the date of Mrs. Ward's operation on her throat.

And also--- 2) the lead singer on the Clara Ward Singer's version of "He'll Never Let Go My Hand". Any information leading to the solving of this case would be greatly appreciated. SIMON4186

[Rowoches]

@simon4186: Good morning to you! Unfortunately, I do not know the date of Gertrude Wards' surgery, but I believe it was during the 1940's or 1950's. Second, the lead singer for the Clara Ward Specials' song, "He'll Never Let Go My Hand" is the late Thelma Jackson, who is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites! I hope that this has helped in one way or another.

[EvangelistAllen]

@Rowoches In Tony Heilbut's book, The Gospel Sound, he mentioned that Mother Ward had a goiter removed "many years ago." The book came out in 1975 and she passed in 1981 so her surgery probably did occur in the '40s or '50s.

[SuperSLIMGOODY1]

LORD GIVE IT UP TO MOTHER GERTRUDE.....THE HAIR STLES BACK THEN WERE FIERCE..AND BACK THEN IT WASNT WHAT U SOUND LIKE VOCALLY..IT WAS THE MESSAGE....

[Rowoches]

@SuperSLIMGOODY1: Very true.

[jddrew1000]

Gert sang poorly but if you a ol time lover, it's about the heart not the voice all the time

[mrsrayndolph]

o ok...thanx 4 the info...

[mrsrayndolph]

Was Willa Ward-Royster marred twice? Becuz I've seen 2 diffeent married names 4 her...just curious...

[Rowoches]

You got it!! First marriage was 'Moultrie'. Second marriage was 'Royster'.

[archbish7]

I will ever love Gertrude. She was an amazing woman. Philadelphia loved her Sangggggggggggggggggggggggg

[ringbolt9]

love her!!!!

[Revd519]

Gertrude was a hooper like her daughter Clara

Gertrude was a dynamic diva in her day

[Commentarian1]

She has a sweet voice and I love her glory hive hairdo!

[Snowhill3]

glory hive hairdo! God bless da hair dresser!!

[Rowoches]

She did her own hairdo's

[Snowhill3]

in my opinion, her voice sounds so terrible dat she can actually sing. and i dont mean to offend anyone.

[Rowoches]

LOL! It's ok. We all have our different opinions. Books state that she could really sing before her throat surgery (the recording was done years after the surgery), but someone who knew her in the earlier days told me that she sounded no different than she does in this recording. Voice or no voice, I was told that she could really tear a church up tho!

[blessedover]

I know she can't sing but she can talk the hell out of a song and I sometimes that what we need to here. well she said it best.

[DYNODRUM]

yES tHANKS Gertrude YOUR wORDS are wELL mEANT..........BLESS.

[cdj5111]

baby they speeded that organ and piano and her song up @ 2:45 i jumped out of my seat and caught the holy spirit

[Rowoches]

Well, you betta go'head!! LOL!

[direfranchement]

Well, her voice reminds me of my maternal grandmother, rest her soul, and my maternal grandmother could not sing if her life had depended on it. When did Gertrude stop singing with Clara...and does anyone have a rough idea of how her voice sounded prior to throat surgery?

[Rowoches]

Gertrude stopped singing with Clara when Clara died. Basically, not only was Gert the manager of the group, but she would also sing every once in a while (in concerts) with the group....maybe not in every song. Many times when the Ward Singers were in the studio, you could hear Gertrude yelling out in the background, "Oh yes!" or "Sing children," etc...

I don't know if anyone alive today, other than Willa Ward, can attest to Gertrude's voice before the surgery. It was done in the 1940's.

[jaflemin]

Well, I couldn't honestly say I think the woman can sing. That sort of hollow, wobbly sound reminds me of my grandma so much it hurts. She had no delusions about her singing ability. This is gospel music history however, and you did the world a favor by making this performance available to all brother. Your collection is extraordinary, and I appreciate your knowledge and all that you're doing for Golden Age gospel.

[Rowoches]

Gertrude knew that she couldn't sing (anymore after the operation on her throat). She made it a point to let everyone know that she didn't have the voice that she once sang with. She even mentioned once, and I have a recording of her saying it, that people tried to get her to retire from singing all together, and her reply was a scripture that said, "Be faithful to me until death, and I'll give you a crown of life." So, that's basically why she still sang way after her voice was gone.

[109RainyBaby]

thanks for this rich history !!

[DaSourcespr06]

wow..

[lifeofchangesforme]

to be usenest I think they force church on people back then I heard clara ward mother force her to sing at differt shows guess these was no choice and it but to do as you told to do

[Rowoches]

Church wasn't really forced on Clara per se. I have an interview where she admitted to wanting to learn how to play the piano at a young age so that she could travel around with her mother to various churches. Once the Ward Singers became famous, and they had more bookings than they could handle (this is why they had multiple groups), things were overwhelming for Clara. Nonetheless, Clara Ward enjoyed her work.

[lifeofchangesforme]

oh ok

[Tinamusicreggaeluv]

Terrible mother you should read what Willa wrote

[1joker88]

I actually was going to ask something aboot that...

[hudson19947]

I want to read the book too bcuz its on wikipedia how she was a controlling mother. I didn't want to believe it but wikipedia isn't gonna give false statements. So sad and to have such talented daughters

[Marsena]

I did! Sad, absolutely sad! Clara Ward's music was such a blessing, but what a terrible price to pay. Thank God Willa got to do differently with her daughters. That's why we as mothers have to be balanced, prayed up and connected with God, and raise our children to choose the right way instead of pressuring them.

[jamminondakeys]

What is the name of the book?

[Rowoches]

HOW I GOT OVER: Clara Ward & the World-Famous Ward Singers, by Willa Ward Royster

[Darneloh]

Yes Lord now I'm going to bed I just been blessed. Then she took it to church at the end.

[Rowoches]

LOL! Amen...

[Rowoches]

Amen...LOL! "Play it, chirrun!"

[Darneloh]

Yes that's the best part and though the night is daaark lool!Her voice is so funny to me her phrasing of words. Like when she suppose to say dedicate she says "I'm gone detikate" and " Because The storm is passing over and one day we all can say hallelujah". I love it and don't eat too much today alright!!!

[PurpleSnowman29]

Great Post. You're right a lot of gospel listeners have never heard Mother Ward sing. Keep up the good work.

[ocroger]

Thank you for sharing this Dwayne.  It takes me back to the time when I saw Mrs. Ward and Clara and her singers at Disneyland and various clubs in the Los Angeles area.

[kbolden07]

Thank you again friend. I just finally put a voice with a face last night. Gertrude sho could sing. I would have started my on group too!!! LOL!!!

[kbolden07]

Ya'll forgive my comment I had got confused earlier. Gertrude mmmh If I can't say nothing "waving my hand"

[Rowoches]

LMAO!