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Marion Williams Avoided Secular Music and Became a Gospel Legend

On this, the Christmas archive show, we feature an interview with the late Marion Williams -- one of the greatest gospel singers of her generation. She refused to sing secular music even though she was offered lots of money to do so. She influenced such singers as Little Richard and Aretha Franklin.

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Other segments from the episode on December 25, 1998

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, December 25, 1998: Interview with Marian Williams; Interview with Vernard Johnson; Interview with Al Green.

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22:45

Gospel Singer Marion Williams.

Gospel singer Marion Williams. Her trademark, a long-lasting high A-flat "whooo," has been adopted by most gospel singers and soul singers like Little Richard and Aretha Franklin. A self- proclaimed "Holy Roller", Williams received the Kennedy Center Honors Award last night in Washington for her lifetime achievement in the arts. When she's not performing, Williams sings traditional gospel at the African-Methodist-Episcopal church in Philadelphia--the first black church formed in America. Her new album is "Can't Keep It To Myself" (Sanachie).

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