Provided By: Gregory Gay ,Chicagogospel.comThe Gospel music community mourns the passing of legendary gospel pioneer and musician Geraldine Gay – Hambric, who passed away on Tuesday, April 6, at the age of 79. She was most notably recognized as a member of The Gay Sisters Trio that recorded for Dolphin and Savoy Records in the late forties and early fifties and for Checker in the 60s. The Trio, which included Geraldine and her sisters Evelyn and Mildred, performed at New York’s Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, the Astrodome, and the Bicentennial Celebration of the United States on the Washington Mall. In later years, the sisters along with their younger brother Donald sang at churches around the country, and have performed and recorded with some of the most influential artists of the 20th century, including Mahalia Jackson, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Dr. Thomas Dorsey, Clara Ward, Pops Staples and the Staple Singers, and many others.
Geraldine and Donald made a triumphant return to the music scene with the 2004 release, “In the Right Hands – Chicago Gospel Keyboard Pioneers” for The Sirens Record label, bringing the duo some well-deserved recognition. Their recording led to performances at the 2005 Chicago Blues Festival, the University of Chicago Folk Festival in 2005 and 2007, and Piano Night at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Geraldine was also honored as a Gospel Pioneer at the 2005 Chicago Gospel Music Festival. In 2007, they released "Soulful Sounds" which went on to rave reviews, and Geraldine was featured on Harry Porterfield's Someone you should know segment. The history of the Gay Family has been documented in several books including Anthony Heilbut’s The Gospel Sound, Bill Carpenter’s Gospel Music Encyclopedia as well as W. K. McNeil’s Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music.
Geraldine, who was divorced, is survived by a son, Donald Hambric; two daughters, Marion Hambric and Janetta Pullum; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A musical tribute is set for 6 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the Prayer Center Church of God in Christ, 526 E. 67th St., Chicago. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, at the church. A memorial website has been set up for friends and fans to share their memories and sentiments at www.memorialwebsites.legacy.com/GeraldineEdithGay.