Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Friday 17 January 2020
For Gloria Gaynor, God is key

to her survival in life, music

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY that was what I was called lot to me as well as to other
AP Entertainment Writer to do. people. I fully understand
NEW YORK (AP) — Gloria AP: This album is comprised because I’ve experienced
Gaynor sees the hand of of new material, some what the song can do for
God in every aspect of which you co-wrote; even you.
her life, particularly when the song “Amazing Grace” AP: This song has endured
it comes to the tune that is a new tune. What made for so long, but have you
may be the most famous you decide to go that ever been frustrated that
disco song every created. route? this was your biggest song?
Gaynor recalls when she Gaynor: Well, I kind of feel Gaynor: At first I thought,
This Dec. 18, 2019 photo shows singer Gloria Gaynor posing for first was presented with like I’ve always been a bit you know, this is a double-
a portrait in New York. “I Will Survive,” it was in- innovative. I mean, if some- edged sword. People think
Associated Press tended to be the B-side of body writes a song that I I’m not able to sing any-
another song, meaning it want to sing and they’ve thing else except “I Will Sur-
wasn’t the one that was put something in it with vive.” They don’t want to
promoted to be a hit. She bad grammar, I can’t sing hear anything else. ... I’m
clearly remembers calling it it. I just have to fix it. I just do not sick of the song, but I
a stupid decision, and lob- it. And I wasn’t trying to fix wish they would recognize
bied for “I Will Survive” to “Amazing Grace” except that I could do something
get top billing, which won that I was trying to make it else, that I’ve recorded so
over the songwriters of the fit my life. And the more my many other great songs.
now classic song. story than the original, my And then when I came to
“I’ve always believed that testimony than the original the understanding that it
God told them, ‘Look, sit writing of it. And so that’s was the core of my pur-
down, write a song, hold why we went that way with pose and I kind of settled in
onto it, I’m gonna send it. and thought, Yeah, I’m OK.
you somebody,” she said. AP: What has it been like to As the song says, “It is well
“A(nother) divine appoint- not only have the Grammy with my soul.”
ment. … it was meant to be nominations after all this AP: You’ve also endured a
the core of my purpose.” time, but also have this lot physically as well, with
Gaynor won her first and type of success? several back surgeries.
only Grammy for “I Will Sur- Gaynor: Well, I did an al- How are you doing today?
vive in 1980. bum some time ago and Gaynor: I’ve had five back
Now, 40 years later, she has I’ve felt that I just kind of ran surgeries and each one has
a chance to add two more out ahead of God. And, stopped me for a minute. ...
trophies to her collection you know, when you do The last one threatened to
thanks to her first gospel that, you find yourself out stop me for good. .. With a
album “Testimony,” which there by yourself. lot of prayer and a lot of
is nominated for best roots So it didn’t do well at all. faith, we found a doctor
gospel album, and “Talk- And then when this album out in California who did
ing About Jesus,” which is happened and the suc- this wonderful surgery, two
up for best gospel perfor- cess came so quickly and surgeries on me, two to-
mance. was so quickly received taling 18 hours and put 12
She’s giddy to get back in and people were writing rods in my back.
the Grammy mix. me not only telling me that And now I’m pain free ....
“I’m waiting to see the they enjoyed the music, I’m still performing. And I
fashions, of course, every- but that the songs were do better on stage and I
body all dressed and look- ministering to them ... this do in everyday life. That is
ing wonderful and feeling was my purpose to do all why I give credit to God
good and happy and all of this through the music. So and to the audience that
that,” she said of the Jan. I’ve felt, yeah, I was right he brings me, because the
26 ceremony, “and hop- this time. This is God’s timing love that comes from my
ing, of course, that I win at and I’m on point. audience really sustains
least one Grammy, would AP: What has “I Will Sur- me during that period of
be awesome if I could win vive” meant to you over time that I’m on stage. And
them both.” the years. it’s just a wonderful time for
Gaynor spoke to The Asso- Gaynor: At first it was some- me.
ciated Press recently about thing that I was singing for I always leave the stage
her nominations, persever- other people. And then hoping that the audience
ing in the music industry as time went on, different has had as good a time as
despite health challenges things happened to me I did.
and her divine connection and it became my man- AP: Could you see yourself
to her most famous song. tra as well. And through making more dance mu-
___ the death of my mother, sic?
AP: What made you want to through the death of all of Gaynor: Well, the only
do a gospel album? my siblings, through my di- dance music I’m planning
Gaynor: I just wanted vorce, I mean, when I did on doing is music that to
to share the love and my divorce, I did a mara- which you can dance it
the knowledge of Christ thon version ... (laughs). So like David danced, dance
through my music. I felt that the song has really meant a unto the Lord.q