Esteemed musician
Willie Webb was a central figure in the development and spread of gospel music in Chicago, known for his roles as musician, music minister, composer, and arranger. But for Mahalia Jackson, the undisputed queen of gospel, Webb was much more than just a colleague—he was the gifted organist who helped shape her distinctive sound and was held in high esteem by her personally. His ability to musically underscore the emotional and spiritual foundation of gospel music made him a sought-after accompanist for Jackson and many other greats of the scene.
Mahalia Jackson's appreciation for Willie Webb
Webb played organ for Mahalia Jackson, including on an Emily Bram program. Here, Jackson expressly praised him for his deep understanding of gospel aesthetics. An even clearer sign of her appreciation was the fact that Mahalia Jackson rated Webb even higher than Edward Robinson as a pianist, which was no small statement in the gospel world at the time. Webb was also prominently featured as organist in Jackson's souvenir book, underscoring his central role in her musical circle. His ability to use his organ playing to enhance the depth and spirit of Jackson's singing made him an indispensable partner for the gospel icon.
Roles and areas of influence beyond the collaboration with Mahalia Jackson
Webb was primarily an influential minister of music and organist. His musical talent was also evident in his abilities as a composer and arranger. He was not only an artist, but also a spiritual leader who put music at the service of faith. His role as a kind of “rat catcher” whom people associated with him followed attests to his immense influence on the gospel community.
Churches and musical communities
Webb was active in a number of important churches and with various groups:
True Light Baptist Church
Webb served as minister of music here from 1956, working with prominent artists such as James Cleveland, Jessy Dixon, and Doris Sykes. The church had its own radio program on WAIT.
South Side Community Singers
Webb founded this group in 1954. He trained them and later handed over the leadership to Eugene Gibson and Doris Sykes. The group rehearsed at the Fellowship Church and had its own radio show.
Hyde Park Bible Church
Around 1957, Webb became music minister at this church, which also broadcast Sunday services on WOPA radio.
Forty-Fourth Street Baptist Church
He also worked as a music pastor here. His own gospel group, the Willie Webb Singers, was based here. Louise Overall Weaver, the church organist, was Webb's cousin.
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
In the early 1950s and 1960s, Webb was also briefly music minister at Fellowship..
Further collaborations with renowned artists
In addition to Mahalia Jackson, Webb collaborated with many other greats of gospel music:
At True Light Baptist Church, James Cleveland, Jessy Dixon, George Jordan, Doris Sykes, and Rev. Dr. Issac Whittmon were among his partners. At Hyde Park Bible Church, Webb himself appeared alongside Herbert Williams, Rev. Dr. Issac Whittmon, and Melvin Smothers as soloists on the first radio broadcast in 1958. The Willie Webb Singers, who made their first commercial recording in 1950, included talents such as Allen McClinton, Ozella Weber, Edna Coles, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ora Lee Hopkins, and Alex Bradford. Romance Watson was also a member from 1946 to 1949.
Presence on radio and television
Willie Webb used the media to make gospel music accessible to a wider audience:
He was involved in live radio broadcasts of the True Light Baptist Church on WAIT. The Hyde Park Bible Church began broadcasting Sunday services on WOPA in 1958, with Webb as music minister. The South Side Community Singers had their own radio show with Big Bill Hill. In addition, Willie Webb also appeared on television, which further expanded his reach.
Events and lasting influence
Webb was also a skilled event organizer.
He was known for organizing annual late summer anniversary events at Tabernacle Baptist Church, which featured an “all-star lineup” of artists. A special event was his fourth anniversary concert in 1951, when he brought the famous singer Dinah Washington “back to church.” As an incentive, the first two hundred attendees of this concert received a free Willie Webb record, which may have been his Gotham release “Eyes Have Not Seen” with Alex Bradford as lead singer.
Interestingly, despite her personal appreciation for Webb, Mahalia Jackson expressed skepticism about the Willie Webb Singers. She rejected them as potential guests for her television show because, in her opinion, they “screamed too much and didn't sing along enough.” However, this critical remark illustrates the high standards that prevailed in the gospel world at the time and indirectly underscores Webb's own ability to cater to a wide range of musical expressions.