After nearly a week of fighting complications after a heart attack, legendary Gospel singer Andraé Crouch passed away on January 8, aged 72.
Often referred to as the ‘father of modern Gospel”, Crouch brought Gospel into the mainstream; his ever-evolving choir appearing on recordings by secular artists as eminent as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Madonna and Chaka Khan.
Crouch wrote dozens of songs, including gospel favourites like “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “Soon and Very Soon,” which was sung at a public memorial to Jackson in 2009.
A 7-time Grammy winner, Crouch’s exceptional arrangement work on The Color Purple, earned him a nomination for an Academy award. He was also lauded for his contribution to Disney’s The Lion King.
Though he lost his battle against the heart attack, he survived cancer, diabetes and, in December 2014, a bout of pneumonia.
His twin sister Sandra, herself a noted Gospel artist, released the following statement shortly after her brother’s passing: “Today my twin brother, womb-mate and best friend went home to be with the Lord. Please keep me, my family and our church family in your prayers. I tried to keep him here but God loved him best.”
