By Robert M. Marovich
Paul Beasley, a celebrated gospel quartet singer, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023, at the age of 78.
Born in Louisiana, Beasley spent a long career singing tenor with the Gospel Keynotes, alongside Willie Neal Johnson, Gino Smith, Val Alexander, and Johnny Jones. He also sang with the Mighty Clouds of Joy and had a solo career, but upon losing his sight in 2013, he joined the Blind Boys of Alabama.
Many tenor singers in gospel quartets patterned their own style after Beasley’s squeaky flights of falsetto. He is perhaps best known for his lead vocal on the Mighty Clouds’ cover of James Cleveland’s “Walk Around Heaven All Day.”
Funeral services are scheduled for March 25.
Check out the Rolling Stone article below for more information.
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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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I enjoyed his anointing voice in the groups that he sing with.May God bless and strengthen the family during this time of sorrow.
Bro Paul Beasley talk me how to sing falsetto in 1970 at the age of 16yrs old/ He also taught my local group how to sing, The Fantastic SERMONAIRES of Carrollton Ga. We have be friends every since.
Paul Beasley, Charles McLean, & Claude Geter were in a Greatness all by the self.
Paul Beasley you left us alot to Remember/ R.I.Heaven
Condolences to the Beasley family ,Paul was truly a phenomenal singer. Love him his music lives on I will continue to listen to the music RIP you will truly be missed.
I an listening to him singing Walking Around Heaven All Day – it’s a video. Reminds me of my mama playing gospel music on Sunday morning on the stereo.
They don’t do music like this any more.