Richard Smallwood, Renowned Gospel Singer, Passes Away at 77

Richard Smallwood, a celebrated gospel singer and recording artist known for his eight Grammy nominations, has died at the age of 77.

Smallwood passed away on Tuesday at a rehabilitation and nursing facility in Sandy Springs, Maryland, due to complications related to kidney failure, confirmed his agent, Bill Carpenter.

While Smallwood faced ongoing health challenges, music was a vital source of strength for him, according to Carpenter. “His passion for music kept him going for many years,” Carpenter shared in an interview. “Creating music that resonated with people motivated him to keep moving forward.”

Throughout his career, Smallwood’s works have been covered by notable artists including Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Destiny’s Child. His song “I Love the Lord” was famously performed by Houston in the 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife,” according to his biography in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Chaka Khan expressed her admiration following Smallwood’s death, stating on Facebook that he “opened up my whole world of gospel music.” She added, “His music not only inspired me, it changed me. He is my favorite pianist, and his brilliance and commitment to music have influenced many generations, including mine.”

Born in Atlanta on November 30, 1948, Smallwood started playing piano by ear at five years old and began formal lessons by seven. By eleven, he had already created his own gospel group.

Raised mainly in Washington, D.C. by his mother, Mabel, and stepfather, Rev. Chester Lee “CL” Smallwood—who was the pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church—Smallwood later graduated summa cum laude with a music degree from Howard University. He was part of Howard’s first gospel group, the Celestials, and helped establish the university’s gospel choir.

After his college years, Smallwood taught music at the University of Maryland and founded the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977, modernizing traditional gospel music. He later created the choir Vision, which contributed to some of his most popular gospel hits, like “Total Praise.”

“Total Praise” has evolved into a contemporary hymn, appealing to diverse congregations. Carpenter remarked, “This song has reached countless churches—black, white, nondenominational—and it found a place throughout Christendom. Even if he had written nothing else, he would be included in modern hymnals.”

Stevie Wonder performed “Total Praise” at the funeral of Dexter Scott King, son of Martin Luther King Jr., on February 10, 2024, at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church.

In recent years, Smallwood faced health issues, including mild dementia, which hindered his ability to record music. Members of his Vision Choir provided care for him during this time.

Khan acknowledged that Smallwood’s impact would endure “through every sound and soul he touched.” She expressed hope, saying, “I’m really looking forward to singing with you all in heaven.”