Andrae Crouch, legendary modern Gospel singer, dies at 72

Andrae Crouch, a pioneering Gospel musician and Grammy winner, has died, He was 72.

Crouch died on Thursday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, his publicist told the Los Angeles Times. He was hospitalized with pneumonia and congestive heart disease in December and suffered a heart attack Saturday.

He was often called the father of modern gospel music, helping to bring gospel music into the mainstream for over five decades. As USA Today points out, he led the choir on Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” He wrote modern gospel songs that have become standards, including “Soon and Very Soon,” which was performed at Jackson’s memorial service.

Crouch, who was born in Los Angeles, started writing his own songs when he was just 14. In 1960, he started the Church of God in Christ Band and, in 1965, he began Andraé Crouch & the Disciples.

Other famous songs by Crouch include “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)” and “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.”

Despite his religious beliefs, Crouch’s work was often considered too secular by traditionalists, but Crouch didn’t care. His goal was presenting gospel in a way that was appealing to the masses.

“Every song I've written takes you through the Scriptures and reinforces the word of God,” he told the LA Times in 1982. “I give people a beautiful message, but I do it with pop, rock, funk, jazz or disco or anything that will make it appealing.”

Crouch was nominated for an Oscar for arranging music for The color Purple and worked on The Lion King.

Crouch is survived by his sister, Sandra.