Paul Beasley, popularly known as one of the members of the Blind Boys of Alabama and a tenor singer, has passed away at the age of 78.
According to Rolling Stone, the musician was a member of the group over the past ten years. A representative for the band confirmed the tragic news to the outlet.
Aside from his affiliation with the group, he was also associated with Gospel Keynotes and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. He joined the Blind Boys of Alabama after losing his sight in 2013.
Paul Beasley Cause of Death
Although a spokesperson for the band confirmed his passing, the cause of his death still remains a mystery.
As of this writing, his family has not publicly shared an official statement about Beasley's death.
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Paul Beasley Early Life, Career, and More
Born on December 11, 1944, in DeRidder, Louisiana, it appears that singing was truly his calling as he previously revealed that his talent for singing, especially doing falsetto, came to him naturally when he was a kid.
In a previous interview, the singer said he was 12 or 13 years old at the time when he and his sister used to compete over who could sing the highest key.
After joining the vocal group in 2013, he recorded his first track with them titled "I'll Find a Way," but his most popular song was "There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Table)."
The track was originally released by the Chi-Lites but the Blind Boys of Alabama sang the song in their own rendition, featuring a slower tempo and focusing on percussion.
Although Casey Daniel was the lead singer of the song, Beasley stood out with his unique falsetto, especially when they perform it live to their fans.
Surviving members of the vocal band, Ricky McKinnie, Joey Williams, Jimmy Carter, Rev. Julius Love, and Sterling Glass, issued a statement on their official Instagram account amid the singer's death, saying his legacy and voice are one of those things that "only come once."
"Thank God for him. He was often imitated, but never duplicated. The Blind Boys have been friends and soulmates with Paul for many years. The memories that we shared are unsurpassed," they added.
A funeral service will be held in Paul Beasley's hometown later this month (March 25).
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