Andraé Crouch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andraé Crouch
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Crouch in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andraé Edward Crouch |
| Born | July 1, 1942 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 8, 2015 (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel, contemporary Christian |
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| Instruments | Vocals, piano, organ |
| Years active | 1966–2014 |
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Andraé Edward Crouch (born July 1, 1942 – died January 8, 2015) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pastor. Many people in Christian music called him "the father of modern gospel music." He was famous for his songs like "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power" and "Soon and Very Soon."
Andraé Crouch worked with many popular artists. These included Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. He helped bring a gospel choir sound to their songs. He also helped create early contemporary Christian music by mixing modern styles with gospel.
His music was used in movies like The Color Purple and Disney's The Lion King. He won seven Grammy Awards and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Early Life
Andraé Edward Crouch was born on July 1, 1942, in San Francisco, California. He had a twin sister named Sandra. His parents, Benjamin and Catherine Crouch, were ministers. His father pastored a church in Pacoima, California.
When Andraé was young, his parents ran a dry-cleaning business and a restaurant. They also had a street-preaching ministry and helped people in hospitals and prisons. When Andraé was 11, his father asked him to play piano during church services. Andraé found the right notes and started playing. He then worked hard to improve his piano skills. At 14, he wrote his first gospel song.
Music Career
Early Groups
Andraé Crouch started his first music group in 1960. It was called the Church of God in Christ Singers. This group included Billy Preston, who later became a famous musician. They were the first to record Crouch's song "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." This song became very popular in churches worldwide.
In 1965, while studying to be a teacher, he formed a new gospel group called "The Disciples." They often performed at concerts in Southern California. A music publisher helped them get their first song, "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power," published. Then, they met Ralph Carmichael, who helped them record their first album, Take the Message Everywhere, in 1968. Andraé's twin sister, Sandra, joined The Disciples in 1970.
The Disciples became very popular. They appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1972. They also performed to sold-out crowds at Carnegie Hall. Some of their most loved songs were "Through It All," "Soon and Very Soon," and "Jesus is the Answer."
Solo Work
After The Disciples group ended in 1979, Andraé Crouch started his solo career. He worked with many famous musicians like Stevie Wonder and Philip Bailey. He also produced music for other gospel artists. Many singers, including Elvis Presley, covered his songs.
In 1986, Andraé Crouch wrote the theme song for the TV show Amen. In 2006, he released Mighty Wind, an album celebrating 40 years of his music.
TV Appearances
Andraé Crouch also appeared on television. In 1982, he was a guest on The Jeffersons. He also played the character of Yertle the Turtle in the TV movie In Search of Dr. Seuss.
His Impact on Music
Andraé Crouch was a very important person in Jesus music during the 1960s and 1970s. He helped bring contemporary Christian music into churches. He also helped connect black and white Christian music styles. He changed the sound of urban Gospel music.
Even though some people thought he used too many modern music styles, his songs are now sung in churches all over the world. Famous artists like Elvis Presley and Paul Simon have recorded his songs.
In 1996, a special CD called Tribute: The Songs of Andraé Crouch was released. It featured many artists singing his classic songs.
Andraé Crouch and his sister Sandra were good friends with Michael Jackson. In 1987, the Andraé Crouch Choir sang background vocals on Jackson's hit song "Man in the Mirror." They also sang on "Keep the Faith" and "Will You Be There" from Jackson's 1991 album Dangerous. In 1995, the choir was featured on Jackson's song "Earth Song." After Michael Jackson passed away, the Andraé Crouch Choir performed "Soon and Very Soon" at his public memorial service in Los Angeles.
Personal Life
Between 1993 and 1994, Andraé Crouch lost his father, mother, and older brother. After his father's death, Andraé and his sister Sandra became the senior pastors at their parents' church, Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California.
Andraé Crouch faced many health challenges during his life. In his later years, he was hospitalized for pneumonia and heart issues. On January 8, 2015, Andraé Crouch passed away at the age of 72. His sister, Sandra, shared a message saying, "Today my twin brother, womb-mate and best friend went home to be with the Lord."
After his death, Christian artist Michael W. Smith said that Andraé Crouch opened up a whole new world of music possibilities for him. He said that Andraé's influence on Christian music was huge.
Awards
Andraé Crouch won many awards throughout his career. He received seven Grammy Awards and four GMA Dove Awards. He also won awards from ASCAP, Billboard, and NAACP. In 2004, he became one of the few gospel artists to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Grammy Awards
Crouch won seven Grammys:
- 1975: Best Soul Gospel Performance – Take Me Back
- 1978: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album – Live in London
- 1979: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album – I'll Be Thinking of You
- 1980: Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational – "The Lord's Prayer" (with others)
- 1981: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album – Don't Give Up
- 1984: Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male – "Always Remember"
- 1994: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album – Mercy
GMA Dove Awards
- Soul/Black gospel album
- 1977 – This is another day
- 1978 – Live in London
- Contemporary gospel album of the year
- 1985 – No Time to Lose
- 1998 – Pray
- Traditional gospel album of the year
- 1993 – With all of my heart; Sandra Crouch and Friends
- Contemporary gospel recorded song of the year
- 1997 – "Take me back"; Tribute – The Songs of Andrae Crouch (songwriter)
- He was added to the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
Other Honors
- 1985: Nominated for an Oscar for his music in The Color Purple
- 1997: Received an honorary music degree from Berklee College of Music
- 2005: Received a Lifetime Achievement Award from NARAS' Inaugural Salute to Gospel Music
- 2007: Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- 2012: Received the How Sweet the Sound Living Legend Award
Discography
Andraé Crouch and The Disciples
- 1968: Take the Message Everywhere
- 1971: Keep on Singin'
- 1972: Soulfully
- 1973: Live at Carnegie Hall
- 1975: Take Me Back
- 1976: This Is Another Day
- 1978: Live in London
Solo Recordings
- 1972: Just Andrae
- 1979: I'll Be Thinking of You
- 1981: Don't Give Up
- 1982: Finally
- 1984: No Time to Lose
- 1986: Autograph
- 1994: Mercy
- 1997: Pray
- 1998: Gift of Christmas
- 2006: Mighty Wind
- 2011: The Journey
- 2013: Live in Los Angeles
Filmography
- 1985: The Color Purple (songwriter for "Maybe God's Trying to Tell You Something")
- 1993: Once Upon a Forest (songwriter for "He's Gone/He's Back")
- 1994: The Lion King (arranger and choral conductor)
See Also
In Spanish: Andraé Crouch para niños
