Andraé Crouch

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Crouch collaborated on some of his recordings with Stevie Wonder, as well as other famous artists such as El DeBarge, Philip Bailey, Chaka Khan, and Sheila E. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was known as the "go-to" producer for superstars who sought a gospel choir sound in their recordings. Crouch's original music arrangements were heard in the films The Color Purple, for which he received an Oscar nomination, and Disney's The Lion King, as well as the NBC television series Amen. Awards and honors received by him include seven Grammy Awards, induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In Their Own Story

Crouch's first musical group was formed in 1960 as the Church of God in Christ Singers (COGICS). The group included future recording artist and session musician Billy Preston on keyboards and was the first to record Crouch's song "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power". The song's popularity grew following the initial 1964 recording, becoming a standard in churches and hymnals worldwide. While attending Valley Junior College, he formed the gospel music group "The Disciples" in 1965. The group appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1972 and to sold-out crowds at Carnegie Hall in 1975 and 1979. Crouch's most popular songs with the group included "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power", "Through It All", "Bless His Holy Name", "Soon and Very Soon", "Jesus is the Answer", and "My Tribute".

Reader's Guide

Crouch has been credited as a key figure in Jesus music of the 1960s and 1970s and, as a result, helping to bring about contemporary Christian music into the church. He is also credited with helping to bridge the gap between black and white Christian music and revolutionizing the sound of urban Gospel music. Though sometimes criticized for diluting the Christian message by using contemporary music styles, his songs have become staples in churches and hymnals around the world and have been recorded by mainstream artists such as Elvis Presley and Paul Simon. In 1996, Crouch and his music were honored on the Grammy Award-winning CD, Tribute: The Songs of Andraé Crouch, released by Warner Bros. Records. The album featured a wide range of artists performing Crouch's classic songs and featured the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Take 6, Twila Paris, and Michael W. Smith.

Did You Know?

• Crouch was born along with his twin sister, Sandra Crouch, on July 1, 1942, in San Francisco, California.
• He wrote his first Gospel song when he was 14 years old.
• Crouch's song "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power" was written when he was 15 years old.
• The Andraé Crouch Choir sang background vocals on Michael Jackson's hit single "Man in the Mirror" from the Bad album.
• Crouch composed the theme music of the Sherman Hemsley sitcom Amen, sung by Vanessa Bell Armstrong.