Photo: Internet || a Baptist Church in New England

– por Paula Musique –

There are many singers who got their start with music through Christian churches – whether singing in the choir, playing in the orchestra or being a member of the worship team. Check out these celebrities who took their first musical steps in the temple. The importance that evangelical churches give to Music is very noticeable.

Many churches encourage kids to sing from a very young age at the children’s choir. Perhaps you, reader, had your first contact with a musical instrument through your church yourself: your pastor or Bible School teacher may have encouraged you to learn the recorder, the guitar, the clarinet or violin, for instance.

Tell me, did you know that the following singers used to live the church life?

|| Don’t forget those thumbs up to motivate us to continue working on this blog. Also share with your friends. ||

1. Elvis Presley

Photo: www.graceland.com

Among the artists listed here, surely the most interesting story linked to to Christianity is that of Elvis Presley. If you are interested in learning more, there are many intriguing trivia about the King of Rock and Roll here.

Lisa Presley (Elvis’ daughter) stated that, undoubtedly, her father’s favorite musical genre was gospel music. She said that “he seemed to have more passion and be at peace when he sang gospel music.”

He was raised as a child at the Assemblies of God Church in Mississippi, but said that the “world” was too tempting for him to resist with all the fame he conquered. In his later years, he told a pastor that despite everything, he lived a life of immense sadness, depression and loneliness.

.

2. Whindersoon Nunes

Photo: www.whindersson.com.br

One of the main YouTubers in Brazil and in the world was also a member of the Assembly of God Church (Piauí state), from 7 to 18 years old. He has appeared several times on his social media playing and singing Christian songs. His mother, Valdenice, says that her son attended the Assembly of God, contrary to the tradition of his maternal side family, which had always been Catholic. In an interview this comedian said that at that time he used to follow the Bible and he did not have non-Christian music on his phone.

3. Whitney Houston

Photo: www.whitneyhouston.com

Whitney had a complicated life and unfortunately died tragically. I was living in the US when she passed and the entire country was moved by her death – all the TV channels talked about it. People who dream of fame want to ignore the darkside of fame. Fame comes at a price, and sometimes it’s too “expensive”.

She had problems with her mother, her daughter, and her husband. As a child and teenager she sang at a New Jersey Baptist Church, both as a soloist and as a choralist (there are several videos on the Internet if you look). But as soon as the opportunities the music industry began to emerge, she started to move away from Christianity.

.

Best Christian Songs
27 Hilariously Wrong Answers for College Entrance Exam in Brazil – Music Degree
.

4. Dinho  (Mamomas Assassinas Band)

Photo: Internet

Brazilian band vocalist Dinho was the son of a Catholic father and evangelical mother. At the age of 6 he was already part of an evangelical choir in the church, where he learned to sing. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Guarulhos (São Paulo). He died in a plane crash with all members of his super famous and polemical band in Brazil, just 3 days before turning 25.
.

5. Katy Perry

Photo: Internet

Katy is the daughter of Pentecostal pastors, so she used to spend a lot of time in church. As things were heading for her to become a professionally recognized gospel singer, she started to spend time in Nashville to record her gospel album – which sold only 200 copies.

But at age 17, she moved to Los Angeles and everything changed quickly. She recorded the song “I Kissed a Girl” which obviously sparked controversy in the Christian world. Ms. Perry considers herself the black sheep of her family. Her music videos are full of symbolism that are polemically linked to a possible involvement with Satanism and the Illuminati.

.

6. Aretha Franklin

Foto: www.arethafranklin.net

The queen of soul music began singing in the choir of a Baptist Church. Her father, Reverend Franklin, was pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, USA, for over 30 years. Her mother was a pianist and singer, but died before little Aretha turned 10. At this time she started playing the piano. Reverend Franklin was a well-known preacher in the United States and used to be visited by celebrities, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – who she would accompany on tour after making some recordings of gospel music as a teenager and also sang at his funeral in 1968.

It was in 1961 that Aretha would record the first non-Christian songs. She died recently, in 2017.

.

7. Jessica Simpson

Foto: Reprodução

Her father was a psychologist and youth pastor. She used to sing at church and her first recorded album was on gospel music, but the record company went bankrupt and the work was filed. Years later, Tommy Motolla got the material from the Texas singer and released it by Columbia Records.

Have you heard 8D Music?
The Best Duets in the World
Take this quiz on Italian Music Terms
Practice Music Reading with these Fun Automated Exercises
.

8. Avril Lavigne

Photo: Internet

Before embracing the rebellious teenage style of punk-rock, the Canadian singer also used to sing in church and grew up in a conservative family. As a teenager she got a guitar and started writing her own songs. The rest is history.

After a 5-year hiatus from fighting Lyme disease, the Canadian singer recorded the song Head Above Water that reflects this battle of her life and has played on several Christian radio stations across the United States. Avril says that one night when she was in bed and with her mother at her side, she realized that she was having trouble breathing. She had already accepted that she was going to die and felt, at that moment, as if she were underwater, trying to get to the surface to breathe. That’s when she murmured, “God keep my head above the water.” The prayer became a hit.

.

9. Little Richard

Photo: Internet

The rock and roll singer and pianist grew up in a Pentecostal church. At age 84, he returned to Christianity and said he had a regret: “If I could go back in time, it would have been a preacher.” In an interview he said: “I believe that Jesus will come back soon.” During his career and even more recently, he has made controversial claims about his lifestyle and faith.

Do you think you do not know Little Richard? Just type “Tutti Frutti” and you will hear one of the songs that introduced rock and roll to the world.
.

10. John Legend

Photo: Sachyn Mital

Born in Ohio, John’s grandfather was a pastor, his mother was the church choir’s conductor, and his grandmother was the organist. He usually shares that every week he would attend the choir rehearsals and after a while was hired to be the church’s music director. John attributes his success in music to everything he learned in church doing gospel music.

Let’s talk:

And so, did you know that these singers got their start in music in the evangelical church?

Do you know anyone else who is not on this list?

Did you also take your first steps in music through church activities?

.

You may also like:

Best Christian Songs
27 Hilariously Wrong Answers for College Entrance Exam in Brazil – Music Degree

Paula Musique

Viver vai muito além de realizar meus próprios sonhos, pois posso dar as mãos ao próximo e ajudá-lo a realizar seus sonhos também & a vida fica muito melhor com Música.