LG055 Interview: Gwen Lightner (LG055Goreau_Side1)

Description

Side 1 and 2: Interview with Gwen Lightner on 1972-09-19 in Los Angeles. Abstract for Lightner: [00:00–30:43] Pianist Gwen Lightner, speaking from Los Angeles, California on September 19, 1972, describes when she first arrived in Chicago and met composer and songwriter Emma L. Jackson – 2:19. Lightner discusses the time she spent working at Emma's studio. Lightner describes meeting Mahalia when the singer was working at a Chicago beauty shop, where Mahalia spent time with composer Emma L. Jackson – 6:18. She shares that it was Emma L. Jackson, not Thomas Dorsey, who wrote "Precious Lord" and that Dorsey credited Emma Jackson as the writer when he spoke at a convention in Pittsburgh, PA – 8:18. Lightner and Goreau discuss Mahalia's talent as a beautician and her husband Ike and Mahalia's early singing engagements at storefront churches. Lightner describes the first time she played piano for Mahalia when the regular accompanist was unavailable – 12:57. Lightner speaks of Mahalia's psychic experiences and visions – 18:57; how birds symbolized death to her – 24:00; and her fear of dying in Germany – 28:58. [00:00 - 30:42] The interview continues on LG055Goreau_Side2 with Lightner discussing the development of Mahalia Jackson's first recording sessions in Los Angeles and the assembling of Jackson's studio backing group. Lightner and Goreau go on to discuss several of Mahalia's romantic relationships. Lightner mentions Jackson's concern regarding the safety of her money earnings and fear that people were interested in her only for her money – 19:02. Lightner reiterates how she met Mahalia as a teenager in Chicago and relates a story of how Mahalia was "discovered" – 21:54.

In collections

Laurraine Goreau Interviews and Recordings

Details

Title: LG055 Interview: Gwen Lightner (LG055Goreau_Side1)
Part Name: LG055Goreau_Side1
Interviewer: Goreau, Laurraine
Interviewee(s): Lightner, Gwendolyn
Date Created: 1972-09-19
Date Captured: 2020-03-13
2020-03-13
Description: Side 1 and 2: Interview with Gwen Lightner on 1972-09-19 in Los Angeles. Abstract for Lightner: [00:00–30:43] Pianist Gwen Lightner, speaking from Los Angeles, California on September 19, 1972, describes when she first arrived in Chicago and met composer and songwriter Emma L. Jackson – 2:19. Lightner discusses the time she spent working at Emma's studio. Lightner describes meeting Mahalia when the singer was working at a Chicago beauty shop, where Mahalia spent time with composer Emma L. Jackson – 6:18. She shares that it was Emma L. Jackson, not Thomas Dorsey, who wrote "Precious Lord" and that Dorsey credited Emma Jackson as the writer when he spoke at a convention in Pittsburgh, PA – 8:18. Lightner and Goreau discuss Mahalia's talent as a beautician and her husband Ike and Mahalia's early singing engagements at storefront churches. Lightner describes the first time she played piano for Mahalia when the regular accompanist was unavailable – 12:57. Lightner speaks of Mahalia's psychic experiences and visions – 18:57; how birds symbolized death to her – 24:00; and her fear of dying in Germany – 28:58. [00:00 - 30:42] The interview continues on LG055Goreau_Side2 with Lightner discussing the development of Mahalia Jackson's first recording sessions in Los Angeles and the assembling of Jackson's studio backing group. Lightner and Goreau go on to discuss several of Mahalia's romantic relationships. Lightner mentions Jackson's concern regarding the safety of her money earnings and fear that people were interested in her only for her money – 19:02. Lightner reiterates how she met Mahalia as a teenager in Chicago and relates a story of how Mahalia was "discovered" – 21:54.
Extent: 30 min., 43 sec.
Form: sound recording
Type of Resource: Audio
Genre: interviews
Physical Location: Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz, Tulane University Special Collections
Sublocation: Laurraine Goreau collection, HJA-059
URL: https://archives.tulane.edu/
Name Subject(s): Hockenhull, Issac
Lightner, Gwendolyn
Jackson, Mahalia, 1911-1972
Jackson, Emma L.
Topical Subject(s): Gospel music -- Accompaniments
Church music
Extrasensory perception
Geographic Subject(s): Los Angeles (Calif.)
Chicago (Ill.)
Publisher: Tulane University Digital Library
Language: eng
Identifier (Local): HJA059_LG055_1.mp3
Rights: Copyright to portions of this collection has been transferred to Tulane University Special Collections. Tulane University can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or owner’s heir for permission to publish where Tulane University Special Collections does not hold the copyright. For permission to publish collections material to which TUSC holds intellectual property rights, please contact Research Services at specialcollections@tulane.edu.
Source Note: This recording was digitized in 2020 as part of a Recordings at Risk grant funded project administered by CLIR, "Tell the real story of me": Mahalia Jackson and Black Gospel Quartets in the South.
Preferred Citation: LG055 Interview: Gwen Lightner, Laurraine Goreau collection, HJA-059, Tulane University Special Collections, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.
Contact: specialcollections@tulane.edu