Richard Smallwood, a beloved gospel singer and songwriter, has passed away at 77. He died from complications related to kidney failure in a nursing center in Sandy Spring, Maryland. His representative, Bill Carpenter, mentioned that music played a key role in Smallwood’s life, helping him cope with his long-standing health issues.
“Richard was deeply committed to music,” Carpenter explained. “Creating songs that resonated with people kept him alive and motivated.”
Over the years, many well-known artists, like Whitney Houston and Destiny’s Child, performed his songs. Celebrated singer Chaka Khan expressed her admiration on Facebook, stating, “His music didn’t just inspire me; it transformed me. His brilliance shaped generations, including my own journey.”
Born on November 30, 1945, in Atlanta, Smallwood showed musical talent early on, playing piano by ear at just five years old. By seven, he was taking lessons and had started his own gospel group by age eleven. He was largely raised in Washington, D.C., by his mother and stepfather, Rev. Chester Lee Smallwood, who pastored a local church.
Smallwood was a trailblazer at Howard University, where he earned his degree in music and helped establish the university’s gospel choir. After college, he taught music and formed the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977, which modernized traditional gospel music. His song “Total Praise” became particularly impactful, resonating across various Christian denominations.
“Total Praise” isn’t just a song; it’s a modern hymn that has crossed cultural boundaries. “You can hear it in churches of all kinds,” Carpenter noted. “It has secured its place in the modern hymn book.”
In recent years, Smallwood faced challenges, including mild dementia, but remained surrounded by love and support from his choir members. His legacy will continue through the lives he touched and the music he created. Chaka Khan summed it up best: “I look forward to singing with you in heaven.”
For more on Richard Smallwood’s impact on gospel music, you can visit AP News.
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Music, Celebrity, Entertainment, U.S. news, General news, Religion, Article, 128810225
