LG072 Interview: Joe Bostic, Brother John Sellers (LG072Goreau_Side1)

LG072Goreau_Side1

Goreau, Laurraine

Sellers, John, 1924-1999
Bostic, Joe, 1909-

1972-12-22

2020-03-14
2020-03-14

Side 1: Interview with Joe Bostic on 1972-12-22, continued from Tape ID: LG104. Interview with Brother John Sellers on 1972-12-28. Side 2: Continued interview with Brother John Sellers. Abstract for Bostic and Sellers: [00:00-26:04] In LG072Goreau_Side1, Joe Bostic describes what, in his opinion, was the greatest tragedy of Mahalia Jackson's life – that she had many admirers but no friends – 3:01. He describes Jackson's kindness and generosity and tells a story about how cruel Jackson's husband, Minters Galloway, could be towards her – 4:34. Bostic and Goreau discuss John Hammond's "sour" attitude towards Jackson and an unfavorable Rolling Stone article he wrote about her – 15:38. He finishes by describing Jackson's magnificent appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival with John and Jackie Kennedy in attendance – 21:00. [26:05-1:01:05] Speaking from his New York apartment Brother John Sellers describes Jackson becoming sick in NYC where she was performing in the Salute to Black Women concert and having to be admitted to the hospital. Minters Galloway treated her callously at this time even though Jackson was planning to remarry him – 26:24. Sellers discusses the last time he spoke to Jackson shortly before she entered the hospital for a minor surgery – 28:21. He mentions that he had agreed to come see Jackson but was delayed and she passed away before he could get to her – 32:47. Sellers and Goreau discuss different places Jackson lived in Chicago and romantic relationships that she had over the years, including her marriage to Ike. They also discuss different musicians that she played with early in her career. Goreau and Sellers spend several minutes informally sharing interesting anecdotes about experiences with Jackson, including a particular Christmas, long drives to shows, and Jackson's first appearance in Washington D.C. – 40:55. They discuss several of Jackson's memorable appearances as well as her experiences and problems with assorted promoters and booking agents – 50:36. Sellers discusses Jackson's rift with John Hammond – 58:40. [00:00 - 30:32] The interview continues on LG072Goreau_Side2 with Sellers continuing to discuss his and Jackson's relationship with John Hammond. They discuss Jackson's relationships with Della Reese and Albertina Walker and how Jackson was very particular about women who toured with her – 3:12. They talk about Jackson's purchase of a temple – 14:55 and her strong dislike of Jesse Jackson – 17:12.

1 hr., 1 min., 5 sec.

sound recording

Audio

interviews

Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz, Tulane University Special Collections

Laurraine Goreau collection, HJA-059

https://archives.tulane.edu/

Jackson, Jesse, 1941-
Sellers, John, 1924-1999
Bostic, Joe, 1909-
Jackson, Mahalia, 1911-1972
Galloway, Minters S.
Reese, Della
Walker, Albertina

Women in the music trade
Music trade

New York (N.Y.)
Chicago (Ill.)
Washington (D.C.)

Nineteen fifties

Tulane University Digital Library

eng

HJA059_LG072_1.mp3

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.

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.

LG072 Interview: Joe Bostic, Brother John Sellers, Laurraine Goreau collection, HJA-059, Tulane University Special Collections, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.

specialcollections@tulane.edu