Gospel matriarch Albertina Walker dies aged 81

THE LEGENDARY Grammy Award-winning gospel pioneer Albertina Walker died Friday at the age of 81. After her long battle with emphysema Albertina died at Friday morning at 4:30 am in the Chicago hospital, where she had been since late August. Forming The Caravans in the early 1950s the group became the launchpad to stardom for Shirley Caesar, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Loleatta Holloway and James Cleveland. In the '70s, '80s and '90s Albertina continued her successful solo career before unexpectedly reforming The Caravans in 2006. A full article on the gospel matriarch's six-decade career will be published by Cross Rhythms on Friday.