Died On This Date (January 8, 2015) Andrae Crouch / The Father of Modern Gospel Music
themusicsover Andrae Crouch
July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015
Andrae Crouch was a Gospel music pioneer in that he almost single-handedly crossed it over to the mainstream over the course of his career. Crouch took to music at an early age, and had already written his first Gospel song by the time he was 14. In 1960, he formed his first group, the Church of God in Christ Singers, that also counted Billy Preston as a member. That lead to the Disciples which lasted until 1979, when Crouch went on to his successful solo career. His best known songs are “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory),” “Soon and Very Soon,” and “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Over the years, Crouch collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Madonna (to name just a few). He also contributed original music to several films and television shows, most notably, The Lion King and The Color Purple, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. Throughout a career that spanned nearly 50 years, he won seven Grammys, four Dove Awards, and numerous other accolades. Andrae Crouch was 72 when he died on January 8, 2015 while in the hospital after suffering a heart attack five days earlier.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the tip.
What You Should Own
George Beverly Shea was an American Gospel singer and composer who was widely refereed to as “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer.” Thanks in part to his numerous appearances at Billy Graham‘s many crusades along with subsequent recordings and radio appearances, Shea is considered one of Gospel music’s first true International stars. Born in Ontario, Canada, Shea became a naturalized American citizen in 1941. He was taught the violin, piano and organ as a youngster, but it was eventually his beautiful baritone voice that got noticed while singing at his father’s church. He eventually moved to New York and then Chicago where he became a featured soloist on Graham’s weekly radio program. Thanks to Shea’s singing, the show’s ratings skyrocketed almost overnight. He went on to sing on other programs but ultimately worked alongside Graham over the next seven decades. Throughout his career, Shea soloed on upwards of 500 recordings on over seventy albums. He recorded several of his own albums as well. His most famous recording is his rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” As a composer, Shea’s most popular songs are “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and “The Wonder Of It All.” He won a Grammy for Best Gospel Recording in 1966, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He’s also won countless awards from various Gospel and Christian music associations. George Beverly Shaw was 104 when he passed away on April 16, 2013.
Cleotha Staples, along with her siblings, Mavis, Pervis and Yvonne, and their father, 