Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul Podcast WXPN Listener Supported Radio

"Saturday Night and Sunday Morning: The Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul" is a 6-part documentary series that explores the history and influence of gospel music on early rock and roll, soul and R&B music. This first episode examines the history and foundation of Black music beginning with the spirituals that were sung during the time of American slavery, and looks at how that music evolved into gospel music during the early 20th century with the help of innovators such as Thomas Dorsey, who is considered the "father of gospel music".

This episode dives deep into the Golden Age of gospel quartets in the mid-20th century. These groups toured across the United States on what's called the gospel highway and charted a course for the rock and soul musicians who would follow them. These groups included The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Pilgrim Travelers, The Golden Gates, The Caravans, and The Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke.

By the mid-20th century, gospel music was a force in America, compelling many sanctified artists to cross over to secular music. The temptations of fortune and fame became strong for many gospel artists. But crossing over could mean betraying the audience that built them up - or worse. This episode tells the stories of musicians such as Sam Cooke and Sister Rosetta Tharpe who had to navigate this complex relationship between sacred and secular music.

This episode tells the story behind The Edwin Hawkins Singers' ceiling-shattering song, "Oh Happy Day". It was the first gospel song to top the secular charts. Hawkins' use of contemporary sounds — a Latin groove, synthesizers and a soul-influenced lead vocal performance — created a new model for gospel music. But some in the church didn’t want sanctified music to leave the sanctuary.

In the mid-20th century, radio stations in Memphis, Tennessee played a rich mix of gospel, R&B, blues, and country music. A young Elvis Presley was listening and packed all of it into his early rock and roll. This episode looks at Elvis' gospel influences and how he brought that music to White audiences. This episode also tells the story of the role of gospel music played in the Civil Rights Movement and features the singers Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples.

By the '60s, gospel music had firmly established a foothold in mainstream American culture. This opened the door for soul stars such as Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye to complete the bridge between gospel and pop. They both grew up immersed in the harmonies and rhythms of the church and brought those sensibilities into their pop music. This episode looks at the gospel background and lasting musical legacy of Aretha and Marvin.