Early Life and Family Background
Inez McConico was the daughter of Theodore and Pauline McConico. Tragically, her mother passed away when Inez was just two years old. Raised by her father, a coal miner often out of work during the Great Depression, Inez faced significant hardships early in life. She married Robert Andrews at 18 and had two daughters before divorcing him. To support her family, she worked six days a week, ten hours a day, as a domestic worker, earning $18 weekly.
Musical Beginnings and Rise to Prominence
Andrews’ musical journey began in the 1940s with Carter’s Choral Ensemble and the Raymond Raspberry Singers in Birmingham. Her big break came when gospel legend Dorothy Love Coates recommended her to The Caravans, a prominent gospel group based in Chicago. Joining The Caravans in 1957, Andrews became the group’s first successful lead vocalist.
Solo Career and Major Achievements
In 1962, Andrews left The Caravans to form her own group, Inez Andrews and the Andrewettes. They achieved success with songs like “It’s in My Heart” and “(Lord I Wonder) What Will Tomorrow Bring?”. By 1967, she transitioned to a solo career, recording numerous albums and singles. Her 1972 hit, “Lord Don’t Move That Mountain,” became a crossover success, charting on both gospel and R&B charts and selling over a million copies .
Throughout her career, Andrews recorded for several labels, including Savoy, Peacock, and Song Bird. Her discography boasts over a dozen albums, with notable releases such as The Need of Prayer (1963), Letter to Jesus (1964), Chapter 5 (1979), and Jehovah is His Name (1986). She also released live albums, including Live at the Munich Gospel Festival (1974), and compilation albums like Headline News (1999) and Most Requested Songs (2005) .
Vocal Style and Artistic Influence
Andrews’ vocal style was characterized by a rich contralto foundation, transitioning seamlessly into powerful high notes without falsetto. Her dramatic delivery and emotive phrasing captivated audiences, making her a standout performer in gospel music. Gospel historian Anthony Heilbut described her voice as having “a demure contralto bottom… and a thrilling top that defies the hoarseness below and zooms above the staff” .
Her ability to convey deep emotion through song made her a sought-after collaborator. Artists like Aretha Franklin recorded her compositions, and her influence can be heard in the works of subsequent gospel and soul singers.
Honors and Legacy
In recognition of her contributions to gospel music, Andrews was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002. She was also a two-time Grammy Award nominee. In 2012, it was announced that she would receive the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award at the 2013 Stellar Awards; however, she passed away before the ceremony, and the award was presented posthumously .
Her legacy endures through her recordings, which continue to inspire gospel enthusiasts and artists alike. The Caravans’ reunion album Paved the Way (2006), featuring Andrews alongside fellow gospel legends Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, and Delores Washington, serves as a testament to her enduring impact on gospel music .
Personal Life and Final Years
Andrews was a devoted Christian and family woman, raising seven children during her illustrious career. Her son, Richard Gibbs Jr., often accompanied her on piano or organ and later worked with artists like Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples .
In her later years, she married Wendell Edingburg, a mortician, and assisted with his business until his passing in 2004. Andrews continued to perform occasionally, but her health declined after being diagnosed with cancer. She passed away on December 19, 2012, at her home in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 83. She was laid to rest at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago .
Discography Highlights
- Studio Albums:
- The Need of Prayer (1963)
- Letter to Jesus (1964)
- Lord Don’t Move That Mountain (1972)
- Chapter 5 (1979)
- Jehovah is His Name (1986)
- Live Albums:
- Live at the Munich Gospel Festival (1974)
- Compilation Albums:
- Headline News (1999)
- Most Requested Songs (2005)
