Marie Knight, who rose to fame in the 1940s as gospel singing partner with Sister Rosetta Tharpe, died in New York City Sunday, August 30, after complications due to pneumonia. In their heyday, Knight and Tharpe were among the genre’s top singing stars.
Marie’s passing was reported by Mark Carpentieri of M.C. Records.
In 2007, M.C. released Let Us Get Together, Marie’s first full-length album in 25 years and a musical tribute to gospel singer/guitarist Rev. Gary Davis. Prior to this, Marie was featured on M.C. Records’ Shout, Sister Shout: A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe. It was through Tharpe biographer Gayle Wald that Carpentieri learned to his delight that Marie was still alive and willing to participate in the Tharpe tribute recording.
Gospel Friend Records has released a compilation of her Golden Era classics on Hallelujah, What a Song! (shown above).
You can read Marie’s biography on the M.C. Records website: Marie Knight.
TBGB is saddened to hear of Marie’s passing, but also comforted to know that she is now enjoying the eternal fruits of her lifelong labor in the gospel vineyard.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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