Gospel Legend Clarence Fountain Passes

Clarence Fountain,  one  of the original members of the iconic 5 time Grammy winning Gospel  group the Five Blind Boys Of Alabama  made his transition on Sunday, June 3. Fountain was 88.

The Blind Boys were permanent fixtures on stages and in concert halls across the country during the Golden age of Gospel music when quartets such as the Swan Silvertones, Dixie Hummingbirds and others dominated the genre.

The group experienced a resurgence in the 80s when they joined the touring company of the Gospel at Colonus.  The group was nominated for 10 Grammy Awards, winning their first in 2001 for the album Spirit of the Century. Fred Hammond featured Fountain on his 1991 solo album debut I Am Persuaded singing I Came to Jesus (as I was).

News of Fountain’s passing was posted via a statement on the Blindboys.com website:

Clarence Fountain, founding member and longtime leader of the iconic gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama died this morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was 88.

With Fountain at the helm, the Blind Boys rose from humble beginnings to the pinnacles of musical achievement – winning multiple Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and an NEA National Heritage Fellowship, as well as being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and performing at the White House.