Dorothy Love Coates was a pivotal figure in the world of gospel music, her mighty voice and stirring compositions resonating far beyond the walls of the church. Born Dorothy McGriff on December 30, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama, Coates would go on to leave an indelible mark in the annals of American music. Her career began in the mid-1940s when she joined the renowned gospel group, The Original Gospel Harmonettes. As the group's lead singer and songwriter, Coates' raw, emotive power and conviction brought a new level of intensity to gospel performances, becoming a bridge between sacred music and the secular sounds that were evolving in parallel.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Coates and the Harmonettes recorded a number of groundbreaking songs that not only elevated her as a preeminent voice in gospel but also as a civil rights advocate; her music underscored the struggles and hopes of the era. Albums such as "Get On Board," "Standing On The Rock," "A City Built 4 Square," and "These Are The Days" showcase her dynamic and soul-stirring style, often compared to, and influential on, the burgeoning soul genre. Coates' music transcended purely religious contexts, appealing to broader audiences and inspiring musicians across genres with its universal themes of love, hardship, and redemption. Her lasting legacy is one of a passionate artist who imbued gospel music with a potent social consciousness, and a trailblazer who paved the way for future generations.