Huey P. Williams, the longtime frontman of the Jackson Southernaires and a cornerstone of American gospel music, died peacefully at his dwelling in Smithdale, Mississippi, on March 24. He was 80.
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A trailblazer in conventional gospel, Williams’ unmistakable voice and soulful storytelling made him one of the beloved vocalists within the style. His passing marks the tip of an period for quartet gospel — a mode he helped outline and protect for over 5 a long time.
Williams was born right into a household of gospel royalty. He was the elder brother of Frank Williams, who later based the Mississippi Mass Choir, and of Melvin, Doug and Leonard Williams, members of the Grammy-nominated Williams Brothers. Collectively, the Williams household helped form the sound of contemporary gospel.
“My huge brother Huey, in my eyes, was in a league of his personal,” stated Doug. “He possessed a signature voice that was unmistakably his personal. His music ministry touched so many lives in such a constructive approach through the years. He had an enormous persona, however such a humble spirit. Huey was the epitome of a folks’s individual, a person that cherished all people and by no means met a stranger. He would actually provide the shirt off his again. That’s why so many individuals from throughout the nation gravitated to him and cherished him dearly. His presence shall be sorely missed, however his plain legacy will stay on eternally.”
Based in 1940 in Jackson, Mississippi, the Jackson Southernaires gained nationwide consideration within the Nineteen Sixties underneath the management of Huey and Frank Williams, together with Willie Banks. In 1963, they signed with Track Chook Information, a Peacock subsidiary, and launched their breakout single, “The Best Creator.”
Their 1968 tune “Too Late” turned a large hit and led to the discharge of their first full-length album. Recognized for emotionally highly effective performances and messages of religion and perseverance, the Southernaires earned acclaim with radio favorites like “Don’t Let Him Catch You (With Your Work Undone)” and “How Lengthy Will It Final.”
In 1975, the group turned the primary gospel act to signal with Malaco Information, launching a decades-long partnership that noticed them repeatedly chart on Billboard’s High Gospel Albums listing with titles comparable to Down House (1975), Legendary Gents (1979) and Lord We Want Your Blessing (1985). They have been steadily named amongst Billboard’s High Gospel/Soul Artists of the yr.
Huey’s dedication to gospel by no means wavered. When requested if he’d ever retire, he famously replied, “My reply to that query is, how do you surrender on God? How do you surrender on Gospel? How do you say, ‘I’m going to retire?’ It’s like marriage — till loss of life do us half.”
The Jackson Southernaires gained a number of accolades, together with three consecutive Gospel Music Workshop of America awards for Conventional Male Group of the Yr within the late ’80s, a Stellar Award in 1989, and a Grammy nomination in 1992. They have been inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Corridor of Fame, and in 2010, the town of Jackson renamed a stretch of highway of their honor: Jackson Southernaires Drive.
Williams’ last efficiency with the group was in late 2024, a testomony to his enduring ardour for gospel. A celebration of life shall be held on March 29 at Fernwood MB Church in McComb, Mississippi.
When Huey was requested about retiring, he stated, “My reply to that query is, how do you surrender on God? How do you surrender on Gospel? How do you say, ‘I’m going to retire?’ It’s like marriage, till loss of life do us half.”
Williams is survived by his siblings, prolonged household, and a legion of followers whose lives have been uplifted by his voice.
