Andrae Crouch, the gospel great known for singing and directing the choir on such mega-hits as Madonna's "Like a Prayer" and Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," has died. Crouch, 72, was admitted to the Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Northridge, Calif., after suffering a heart attack on Saturday, Jan. 3. He died yesterday (Jan. 8).
Crouch earlier had suffered from diabetes and cancer. Last month, he was hospitalized for pneumonia and congestive heart failure and cancelled a tour, according to the Washington Post.
The Recording Academy, which awarded seven Grammys to Mr. Crouch during a career that spanned more than a half-century, said in a statement that he was "a remarkable musician and legendary figure" who was "fiercely devoted to evolving the sound of contemporary, urban gospel music."
Crouch wrote his first gospel at age 14. Andrew Barker from Variety perfectly summarized Crouch's significance.
"Active since the 1960s, the Southern California native was notable for incorporating contemporary secular music styles into the Gospel tradition, helping to pave a path for much of contemporary Christian music in the process. Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Quincy Jones were among Crouch's many secular music collaborators, and he conducted choir parts for such pop hits as Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' and Michael Jackson's 'Man in the Mirror,'" reports inquisitor.com.
During the making of his album "Mighty Wind" in 2006, Crouch told CBN he had cancer of the throat. When doctors cut it out, they discovered seven nodes or polyps surrounding it. Crouch, whose mother, father and brother all died of cancer, said when the doctors checked it again after cutting the growth, the nodes were gone.
Crouch is also well known in the film industry. He was the main arranger and conductor for "The Lion King." He also wrote the song "Maybe God's Trying to Tell You Something" from "The Color Purple" and he penned "He's Gone/He's Back" from "Once Upon a Forest" in 1993.
Crouch's funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
