The death of Andraé Crouch, legendary gospel music producer and singer who led a congregation with his twin sister, was announced on January 8. Since that time, Andraé Crouch has brought Christian music and culture into the headlines. Acts like Lacrae have brought Christian rap into the Billboard Charts over the past year, but to celebrity fans like actor Dule Hill and Christian author Donald Miller, Andraé Crouch represents the enduring old guard of gospel music.
RIP Andrae Crouch. Your genius has inspired so many lives. Thank you for sharing your gift. #LetTheChurchSayAmen http://t.co/QuGKnT57ds
— Dulé Hill (@DuleHill) January 9, 2015
Throughout the world, fans are expressing their condolences to Andraé Crouch’s twin sister, friends, family, and congregants on social media sources like Twitter. Added to those tweets are links to their favorite songs performed by Andraé Crouch.
Andraé Crouch, Reverend at the New Christ Memorial Church in San Fernando, California, shared the position as church leader with his twin sister, Sandra Crouch.
Sad to hear of the passing of Andrae Crouch. Before I wrote books we had lunch. Sat on a piano bench with him as he sang in an empty church. — Donald Miller (@donaldmiller) January 9, 2015
A native of the greater Los Angeles area for his entire life, Andraé Crouch was a legend and pioneer in the gospel music genre. Namely he was a Madonna “Like a Prayer” and Michael Jackson “Man in the Mirror” collaborator that got him several major musical award nominations.
Continuing his decades-long career, in 2014, Andraé Crouch announced that he would go on tour with the Say Amen Tour .
RIP Andrae Crouch, the man who bridged Gospel and modern Pop Music. Hear about the legacy of an amazing career http://t.co/D3GmAg9ftC
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) January 9, 2015
TicketMaster listed the dates for Andraé Crouch’s Let the Church Say Amen Celebration Tour were March 20 to April 3, with several dates in flux. Seven locations were listed with Andraé Crouch as the headliner including New Orleans, Charlotte, Birmingham, Orlando, and Washington D.C.
http://youtu.be/pEQAie8ABLE
According to Billboard Magazine , Andraé Crouch was “taken to Northridge Medical Center in Los Angeles this past Saturday after suffering a heart attack.” The multiple Grammy Award nominee was due to start the Let the Church Say Amen Celebration Tour on December 6, but was forced to postpone due to being hospitalized with pneumonia and congestive heart failure.
Andrae Crouch, considered the father of modern gospel music, has died. The seven-time Grammy winner was 72. http://t.co/vB2EK9TW1a — NPR News (@nprnews) January 9, 2015
With dates scheduled for 2015, Andraé Crouch’s twin sister was quick to post to his Facebook page on January 5 that the singer and reverend was feeling ill. Sandra Crouch posted the following from Fontana, California.
“Andraé Crouch, who was hospitalized on January 3rd, has had some positive response to the medical attention that has been given to him. The medical team has given some encouraging news and we are so grateful for the many thousands of people who are praying on behalf of my brother. With the continued medical attention and your prayers, we are trusting the Lord for a full recovery.”
Unfortunately, late on January 8, news agencies like Yahoo! News reported that Andraé Crouch had passed away at age 72. Currently, family, friends, and congregants have not made any announcements at this time about Andraé Crouch’s funeral arrangements and memorials.
Grieving the loss of Andrae Crouch. Worked w/ him so many times, toured Europe together. Unforgettable songs, unforgettable man. Godspeed.
— Russ Taff (@Russtaff1) January 9, 2015
RT @hallels_tweets : Andrae Crouch Dies at 72 @andraecrouch http://t.co/9WqXwSK2Qp pic.twitter.com/DKLG97CGXQ
— Xavier D’Leau (@TheXDExperience) January 9, 2015
[All images via the referenced links]
