Memphi Tennessee has seen the death of singer Rev James Moore

GRAMMY NOMINATED gospel singer the Rev James Moore died in Memphis, Tennessee on June 7th. The 44 year old, Detroit-born singer passed away at the Methodist Central Hospital. The singer rose to prominence in 1974 at the James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop Of America where he received the Thurston Frazier Scholarship Award. The same year he recorded his first album, 'I Thank You Master', for Savoy. After three albums on Luminar/Light and recordings for Secret and Gospel he returned to Malaco/Savoy where his debut album for Malaco 'Rev James Moore Live' climbed to the top of I Billboard's Gospel Music Chart. That was followed by a guest appearance on the Mississippi Mass Choir album live In Jackson Mississippi', one of the biggest I selling gospel albums of the era staying a record 48 weeks at number one on I Billboard's Gospel Album Chart. In turn, the Mississippi Mass Choir reciprocated to perform on Rev James Moore's album live With The Mississippi Mass Choir", another number one hit. Other successful albums followed with live In Detroit' and "I Will Trust In The Lord'. The latter and 'Live At Jackson State University' were both nominated for Grammy awards.

For years dogged with ill health, the gospel veteran's kidneys stopped functioning in 1994 leaving toxins in his bloodstream that took his eyesight and forced him into dialysis three times a week. James' last recording, 'Family And Friends', took place in February 1999 at his Detroit hometown. A memorial service for the gospel giant took place in Detroit at Bailey Cathedral C.O.G.I.C. on June 13th.