Coates, Dorothy Love (1928–2002)

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Coates, Dorothy Love (1928–2002)

African-American gospel singer. Born Dorothy McGriff, Jan 30, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama; died April 9, 2002, in Birmingham; dau. of a minister; m. Willie Love (singer, div.); m. Carl Coates (singer, died 1999); children: (1st m.) Cassandra Madison and Carletta Criss.

One of the giants in her field, joined the Gospel Harmonettes, a group that had its 1st hit with "I'm Sealed" (1951); continued with the Harmonettes (1950s–60), writing much of the group's material, and enjoying such hits as "You Must Be Born Again," "That's Enough," "I Won't Let Go of My Faith" and "You've Been Good to Me"; formed the Dorothy Love Coates Singers, featuring her sister Lillian; frequently sang at Newport Jazz Festival; appeared in films The Long Walk Home (1990) and Beloved (1998); wrote songs for such performers as Johnny Cash, Mahalia Jackson, and Ray Charles; also had a substantial role in the civil-rights movement.