Shirley Wahls

Shirley Wahls (born 28 December 1941) is known as one of the young pioneers of Gospel music. Singing in the church since the age of three, she began her singing career in the junior choir of the Mt Pleasant Baptist Church under the direction of Ruth Jones (better known as Dinah Washington) and later Phillip Gilbert, Jr. Her professional career began with such legendary groups as The Argo Singers, the Ward Singers and Dorothy Norwood Singers. She cut a handful of secular 45s in the late 60s, while residing in Chicago. She started her own gospel group, The Shirley Wahls Singers.