These women are responsible for influencing most of today’s R&B divas. Faith Evans has said how she learned how to dissect chords and harmonize by countless hours of listening to The Clark Sisters (I guess this would explain how she sounds so much like Karen Clark-Sheard). Tweet mentions how she grew up singing their songs in the church and Mariah Carey credits her runs and riffs to The Clark Sisters. Also Missy Elliott, Fantasia, Kelly Price and others have gone on to say how much these women played a significant role in their music.

Born and raised in Detroit and led by organist/vocalist Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, sisters Jacky Clark-Chislom, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark-Sheard have continued to expand the legacy begun by their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Dr. Clark, who served as National Music Department president of the Church of God in Christ based in Memphis. In 1983, The Clark Sisters recorded a cross-over dance hit, "You Bring The Sunshine" and followed that with “Is My Living In Vain?”

Even legends such as Shirley Caesar, Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin (who they credit as their inspiration) give it up to these women.

Ya’ll show your love!!!!!

"You Bring The Sunshine"

I can still remember the childrens choir singing this during church programs. They are legends in gospel music.

dreamfactory313 said:

So true, but it's a shame that they don't get the recognition they deserve.

I remember seeing an early 80's footage of them singing a Mahalia Jackson tribute medly for "In the Upper Room" & "Walk in Jerusalem" and eversince I was floored

I recently saw a BET gospel show with Steve Harvey featuring the honoree Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. That beautiful lady was the architect of modern gospel and 3 piece harmonies. They showed how dynamic and ahead of her time, a true professional and perfectionist their mother was through footage, and then a huge picture of a beautiful smiling Dr. Clark appeared on stage. Her nephew, J. Moss sang his heart out and brought the house down, and then all 5 Clark Sisters walked on stage and tore the house up and down with a searing rendition of You Brought the Sunshine!!! At the end of the song they turned around and pointed to their mother's picture with love and affection!!! It brought tears to my eyes to say the least!!!! What a powerful, beautiful tribute from her daughters to a great gospel pioneer and legend, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark!!
[Edited 3/18/05 9:55am]

yeah, those women are true singing legends...chicks like beyonce could learn from these strong women who don't have to shake their ass to get respect...

Harlepolis said:

Harley, I know you're Muslim, but if you get the chance you need to check out this video...



You will definitely be moved! On the opener, "Name It And Claim It," Karen (the one pictured on the video box) bellows out some notes that would give Chaka, ReRe and Mariah "Glass Breakin'" Carey a run for their money. Towards the end all the sisters harmonize and ad-lib without any music. IT'S SIMPLY AMAZING! You gotta see it to believe it!

lennytunia said:

Yeah, that was really nice. Dr. Clark had some pipes on her, too!!! One of my favorite songs by her is a song Twinkie wrote entitled "Nevermind" from The Clark Sister's Sincerely album in which Dr. Clark leads.

Did you catch Karen's daughter, KiKi, rip it too? That girl is definitely following in her mother and aunts footsteps!

Here's the link to the sisters lastest song, "Blessing Me" from Jacky Clark-Chisolm's album, Expectancy.

"Blessing Me"

I remember the first time I heard, "You Brought the Sunshine"....I literally thought they sounded like what I thought angels would sound like. Their harmonies were angelic. I've loved them every since.

*note*- The first incarnation of the group Commissioned ( the 80's), sounded like the male versions of angels. Those brotha's sounded no more and no less than perfect to me. Growing up, The Clark Sisters and Commissioned were how I always thought singing would sound like in Heaven. No joke.

VelvetJ said:

Commissioned were the jump back in the day!!! Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp's vocal arrangements in that group were phenomenal.

*bump*