Richard Smallwood, a classically trained composer and giant of contemporary gospel music who composed famous hymns like “Total Praise” and “Center of My Joy,” died Tuesday, Dec. 30.
He was 77 years old.
The news of his death was confirmed by his publicist. He attributed his death to complications from kidney failure at Brooke Grove Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Maryland.
Smallwood’s career, spanning five decades, connected the sacred and the conventional.
His compositions were covered by the biggest names in music, notably Whitney Houston, who recorded his song “I Love the Lord” for The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack.
Destiny’s Child also performed their work “Total Praise” in a gospel medley, and Boyz II Men closed an album with a chorus of their music.
He was born in Atlanta and grew up in Washington DC. The legend was a musical prodigy, playing piano by ear at age five and forming his own gospel group at age eleven.
He graduated from Howard University, where he helped found the school’s gospel choir. He later taught music at the University of Maryland.
In 1977, he founded The Richard Smallwood Singers, creating a classically infused sound that appealed to young children.
The group’s debut album spent 87 weeks on the Billboard charts.
Despite having a successful music career with eight Grammy nominations, three Dove Awards, and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006, he spoke openly about his battles with depression and music industry frustration.
In his later years, he faced major health problems, including mild dementia, so he made few public appearances.
