Celestials founder earned gospel renown. He's the brother of the late Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark the mother of the Clark Sisters.
William (Bill) Moss Sr. spent 35 years on the road rocking venues such as the Apollo Theatre and Cobo Center with his dynamic gospel music.
Even in his final months, emphysema couldn't silence the music that filled his heart and captivated audiences for decades. He still sang in his hospital bed.
"He loved the road, he loved gospel music and that was his life," said daughter Verlinda (Rue) Moss.
Mr. Moss, founder of the famed gospel group The Celestials, died Monday, June 25, 2007. He was 76.
Born in 1931 in Selma, Ala., Mr. Moss got his singing start in the church led by his mother, the Rev. Mattie Moss.
He came from a talented musical family, including his sister, Mattie Moss Clark, and her daughters, the Clark Sisters. He also started the music careers of his sons, gospel singer-songwriters J. Moss and Bill Moss Jr.
Mr. Moss formed The Celestials in Detroit in the 1960s with his wife, evangelist Essie Moss. The group later included the couple's daughters.
"Bill Moss was highly recognized as a legend in gospel music because of his uniqueness in style of writing," his daughter said. "He was the first to come out playing on an electric piano and had an electric drum."
Mr. Moss was a 2004 inductee into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Celestials were nominated for a Grammy for "Turn It Over to Jesus." Other hits include "Everything is Going to be Alright" and "The Way We Used to Have Church."
Mr. Moss is survived by his wife, eight children, a stepson, a sister and 13 grandchildren. The funeral was at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit.
William (Bill) Moss Sr. spent 35 years on the road rocking venues such as the Apollo Theatre and Cobo Center with his dynamic gospel music.
Even in his final months, emphysema couldn't silence the music that filled his heart and captivated audiences for decades. He still sang in his hospital bed.
"He loved the road, he loved gospel music and that was his life," said daughter Verlinda (Rue) Moss.
Mr. Moss, founder of the famed gospel group The Celestials, died Monday, June 25, 2007. He was 76.
Born in 1931 in Selma, Ala., Mr. Moss got his singing start in the church led by his mother, the Rev. Mattie Moss.
He came from a talented musical family, including his sister, Mattie Moss Clark, and her daughters, the Clark Sisters. He also started the music careers of his sons, gospel singer-songwriters J. Moss and Bill Moss Jr.
Mr. Moss formed The Celestials in Detroit in the 1960s with his wife, evangelist Essie Moss. The group later included the couple's daughters.
"Bill Moss was highly recognized as a legend in gospel music because of his uniqueness in style of writing," his daughter said. "He was the first to come out playing on an electric piano and had an electric drum."
Mr. Moss was a 2004 inductee into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Celestials were nominated for a Grammy for "Turn It Over to Jesus." Other hits include "Everything is Going to be Alright" and "The Way We Used to Have Church."
Mr. Moss is survived by his wife, eight children, a stepson, a sister and 13 grandchildren. The funeral was at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit.
Celestials founder earned gospel renown. He's the brother of the late Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark the mother of the Clark Sisters.
William (Bill) Moss Sr. spent 35 years on the road rocking venues such as the Apollo Theatre and Cobo Center with his dynamic gospel music.
Even in his final months, emphysema couldn't silence the music that filled his heart and captivated audiences for decades. He still sang in his hospital bed.
"He loved the road, he loved gospel music and that was his life," said daughter Verlinda (Rue) Moss.
Mr. Moss, founder of the famed gospel group The Celestials, died Monday, June 25, 2007. He was 76.
Born in 1931 in Selma, Ala., Mr. Moss got his singing start in the church led by his mother, the Rev. Mattie Moss.
He came from a talented musical family, including his sister, Mattie Moss Clark, and her daughters, the Clark Sisters. He also started the music careers of his sons, gospel singer-songwriters J. Moss and Bill Moss Jr.
Mr. Moss formed The Celestials in Detroit in the 1960s with his wife, evangelist Essie Moss. The group later included the couple's daughters.
"Bill Moss was highly recognized as a legend in gospel music because of his uniqueness in style of writing," his daughter said. "He was the first to come out playing on an electric piano and had an electric drum."
Mr. Moss was a 2004 inductee into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Celestials were nominated for a Grammy for "Turn It Over to Jesus." Other hits include "Everything is Going to be Alright" and "The Way We Used to Have Church."
Mr. Moss is survived by his wife, eight children, a stepson, a sister and 13 grandchildren. The funeral was at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit.
William (Bill) Moss Sr. spent 35 years on the road rocking venues such as the Apollo Theatre and Cobo Center with his dynamic gospel music.
Even in his final months, emphysema couldn't silence the music that filled his heart and captivated audiences for decades. He still sang in his hospital bed.
"He loved the road, he loved gospel music and that was his life," said daughter Verlinda (Rue) Moss.
Mr. Moss, founder of the famed gospel group The Celestials, died Monday, June 25, 2007. He was 76.
Born in 1931 in Selma, Ala., Mr. Moss got his singing start in the church led by his mother, the Rev. Mattie Moss.
He came from a talented musical family, including his sister, Mattie Moss Clark, and her daughters, the Clark Sisters. He also started the music careers of his sons, gospel singer-songwriters J. Moss and Bill Moss Jr.
Mr. Moss formed The Celestials in Detroit in the 1960s with his wife, evangelist Essie Moss. The group later included the couple's daughters.
"Bill Moss was highly recognized as a legend in gospel music because of his uniqueness in style of writing," his daughter said. "He was the first to come out playing on an electric piano and had an electric drum."
Mr. Moss was a 2004 inductee into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Celestials were nominated for a Grammy for "Turn It Over to Jesus." Other hits include "Everything is Going to be Alright" and "The Way We Used to Have Church."
Mr. Moss is survived by his wife, eight children, a stepson, a sister and 13 grandchildren. The funeral was at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
