The Caravans was a female gospel group popular during the 1950s and 1960s that launched the careers of a number of artists, including: "Queen of Gospel" Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, "The Great Narrator" Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews and "First Lady of Gospel" Shirley Caesar. While the group had gone through constant changes in personnel in its heyday, the group's popularity dimmed in 1966. The group disbanded in the 1970s, reforming occasionally for reunions with its last surving members: Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Shirley Caesar, and Inez Andrews. Gospel music is a musical genre characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... Albertina Walker (b. ... Bessie Griffin (July 6, 1922 – April 10, 1989) was a gospel singer who performed briefly with Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker & The Caravans in 1953 but spent most of her career as a solo artist. ... Inez Andrews is an American gospel singer born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1929. ... Shirley Caesar (b. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ...

Walker founded the group in 1952 in Chicago, Illinois with Ora Lee Hopkins, Elyse Yancey and Nellie Grace Daniels. Walker was the featured singer on the records that the first version of the Caravans made, which had the measured style typical of artists influenced by Roberta Martin. One of the Caravan's favorit hit's "Lord Keep Me Day By Day" features Ms. Walker on lead vocals. 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... Roberta Martin (February 12, 1907-January 18, 1969) was an influential gospel artist who helped launch the careers of many other gospel artists through her group The Roberta Martin Singers. ...

That changed, however, as other singers joined the group, which retained the close harmonies and precise rhythms of the original group, but now allowed each member the opportunity to solo on alternating leads. At their height in the late 1950s the Caravans combined the energetic, agile alto of Shirley Caesar on songs such as "I'm Not Tired Yet" with the powerful contralto of Inez Andrews on "Mary Don't You Weep." Mary Dont You Weep (alternately titled O Mary Dont You Weep, Oh Mary, Dont You Weep, Dont You Mourn, or variations thereof) is a Negro spiritual that originates from before the American Civil War. ...

Bessie Griffin joined the group in 1953, but left after a year. Cassietta George joined in 1954 and likewise stayed only a year, but returned in 1960 for another five years. Norwood joined in 1955 and left in the late 1950s, forming her own group, the Norwood Singers. Inez Andrews joined, at the suggestion of James Cleveland, the pianist and arranger for the group, in 1957 and also left in 1962 to form her own group and then solo. Shirley Caesar joined the Caravans in 1958 and left to pursue a solo career in 1966. Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... James Cleveland (December 5, 1932 - February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ...

Members

• Albertina Walker 1952-1969
• Ora Lee hopkins 1952-1954
• Nellie Grace Daniels 1952-1954
• Elyse Yancey 1952-1954
• Bessie Griffin 1953-1954
• Sarah McKissock 1956-1958
• Shirley Caesar 1958-1966
• Inez Andrews1957-1962 and 1964-1966
• Rev. James Cleveland 1953-1956
• Cassietta George1954-1956 and 1958-1966
• Dorothy Norwood 1956-1957 and 1964-1966
• Delores Washington 1958-1966
• Josephin Howard 1962?-1966
• Loleatta Holloway 1968-1969
• Doris Willingham (aka Doris Duke 1968- 1969

Albertina Walker (b. ... Bessie Griffin (July 6, 1922 – April 10, 1989) was a gospel singer who performed briefly with Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker & The Caravans in 1953 but spent most of her career as a solo artist. ... Shirley Caesar (b. ... Inez Andrews is an American gospel singer born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1929. ... James Cleveland (December 5, 1932 - February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs. ... Loleatta Holloway (born November 5, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American singer known for classic disco songs such as Dreamin and Love Sensation (the latter which has been sampled greatly). ... Doris Duke (b Doris Curry, 1945, Sandersville, Georgia) is a gospel and soul singer. ... Doris Duke (November 22, 1912 – October 28, 1993) was an American heiress and philanthropist. ...

Hit songs

• Ain't Got Tired Yet
• Lord Keep Me Day by Day
• Mary Don't You Weep
• Remember Me
• I Know The Lord Will Make A Way
• I'm Willing
• Show Some Sign
• I Won't Be Back
• Make It In

Mary Dont You Weep (alternately titled O Mary Dont You Weep, Oh Mary, Dont You Weep, Dont You Mourn, or variations thereof) is a Negro spiritual that originates from before the American Civil War. ...

Further reading

• Heilbut, Tony, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times Limelight Editions, 1997, ISBN 0-87910-034-6.
• Horace Clarence Boyer, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel Elliott and Clark, 1995, ISBN 0-252-06877-7.