John Alden Black

Rev. John Alden Black, Jr. was born August 20th,1954 to John A. Black Sr. and DeLena May Black. His mother believed that he would be a great musician and often placed him at the piano during church services, making worshippers listen as the boy plucked out chords and learned to play. He soon revealed himself to be a musical prodigy, and by the age of nine was booking gigs and traveling the country performing under the moniker "Wonderboy of the West Coast". Which, if you knew him as an adult, kind of explains a lot. By his pre-teen years, John was playing alongside such celebrated musicians as Billy Preston, James Cleveland, and Andre Crouch.

John joined the legendary Gap Band in 1979. He again found himself touring, but far from the wholesome church circuit of his boyhood he was now performing R&B and funk hits for sold-out crowds. John reached the heights of songwriting success, penning numerous gold and platinum records including, All of My Love, and Addicted to Your Love by The Gap Band and I Need You by The Pointer Sisters. But his most indelible hit was the gospel song That's When You Bless Me, recorded by the L.A. Mass choir in 1989. It instantly became a classic and a staple for choirs around the world, and signaled a return to his gospel roots.

Like his father, John became a traveling minister, preaching at hundreds of churches across the country. He was known as a "preacher's preacher," not just a virtuosic speaker, but academic in his pursuit of religious knowledge. John met the love of his life, his wife Angie, by walking up to her in church and saying, "I'm going to get your number, then I'm going to take you on a date, and then I'm going to marry you." True to his word, John and Angela married on Christmas day 1982, and in addition to his daughter Tisha from a previous marriage, they had Ashley, Jonathon, and Alden. He liked to amuse congregants, and often told funny stories about his family from the pulpit, much to the children's embarrassment. But one of them grew up to become a screenwriter, so don't worry, payback is forthcoming.

In 1997, John became the pastor of Victory Temple Church of God in Christ, where he was finally able to practice the pastoral care that eludes the traveling minister. Making sure the people around him were not only spiritually but also literally fed, Pastor Black was known to often invite people to his home to sample his highly touted culinary skills on the barbecue. Coming full circle from his Wonderboy days, John devoted much of his later years in life to mentoring young musicians. He would accept a call from any aspiring musician who needed advice, and some received a call from him offering it even when they didn't ask. Musicians who admired his playing style would sit next to him during service and record him playing the organ so they could study and practice his chord progressions. In this way, John's signature chords have become an enduring part of the Los Angeles gospel sound.

After a lifetime in His service, John Alden Black, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on November 6, 2023. John leaves behind a rich legacy of artistry and service to the Lord and humanity. Those who remain to continue the legacy are his wife Angela, children Tisha (David), Ashley, Jonathan, and Alden, sisters Elaine and Ursula (Richard), grandchildren Marie, Blake, and Ava, and many beloved nieces, nephews, family, friends, and mentees. He also leaves behind two loyal pets, Frankie and MJ who, since he was never done spreading the gospel, John trained to bow their heads in prayer before their meals.

A celebration of the life of Rev. John Alden Black, Jr. will be held at 11am on November 30, 2023 at Greater Emmanuel Temple in Lynwood, CA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider a donation in John's memory to pancan.org, an organization that provides comfort and resources to families battling pancreatic cancer. The Black community is at increased risk of pancreatic cancer, please take a moment to visit pancan.org and learn the early signs.