Rev. James Moore

Reverend James Moore Sr. (February 1, 1956 – June 7, 2000), born James Leslie Moore in Detroit, Michigan. The Gospel world was blessed to experience Moore’s powerful vocal abilities. Moore had a genuine love for the traditional sounds of the church, but came to appreciate the uprising contemporary form of gospel music as well. He died in 2000, aged 44.

In his early years, Moore received mentoring and the development of his artistic craft attributed to gospel music legends and personal friends such as the late Rev. James Cleveland, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, and Richard “Mr. Clean” White, among many others. He wasn’t shy about giving alms to the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) for molding his gospel music career.

After many gospel chart topping hits and much noted success in the 1980s and early 90’s, Moore soon became a household name among many gospel music listeners. Around the mid-90′s Moore’s health began to deteriorate, after he was diagnosed with and suffered from colon cancer. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with diabetes, which left him bound to a wheelchair, blind and placed on dialysis.

But Rev. Moore’s faith was unshakable — in the midst of his health challenges — he continued to sing and minister. His last recording was entitled “Family and Friends, Live in Detroit”, in the summer of 1999, in his hometown of Detroit, where he sang with some of his dearest industry friends and gospel notables such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Rudolph Stanfield and Darius Twyman. The album wasn’t released until the spring of 2000, shortly before his going home at the age of 44.

• Norman Hutchins – Emmanuel
• Della Reese – Have I Told You Lately