The Gospel Ranger

Radio Diaries : #17: The Gospel Ranger Image
Radio Diaries : #17: The Gospel Ranger Image

The Gospel Ranger

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

This is the story of a song, “Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down,” written by a 12-year-old boy on his deathbed. A boy who – instead of dying – went on to become a Pentecostal preacher. A boy who would later help inspire the birth of Rock & Roll. His name was Brother Claude Ely…and he was known as The Gospel Ranger.