Dorothy Love Coates was an American gospel singer and songwriter. She was born on January 30, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama, and grew up in a religious family. Coates began singing in church at a young age and later joined The Gospel Harmonettes, a popular gospel group in the 1940s and 1950s.
Coates was known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. She wrote many of the songs that she performed, including “That’s Enough,” “99 and a Half Won’t Do,” and “Get Away Jordan.” Her music was deeply rooted in her faith and often addressed themes of social justice and equality.
In addition to her work as a singer and songwriter, Coates was also an activist. She marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, and her music became an anthem for the movement.
Coates continued to perform and record music throughout her life, and she received many awards and accolades for her contributions to gospel music. She died on April 9, 2002, at the age of 74, but her legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and activists around the world.
