Andraé Crouch, the Grammy-winning gospel performer and choir director who worked with superstars of the pop world including Madonna and Michael Jackson, has died aged 72.
Crouch, who won a total of seven Grammys during his career and whose songs were covered by Paul Simon and Elvis, died on Thursday at Northridge hospital medical center in Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack.
His twin sister, Sandra Crouch, who was a pastor alongside her brother at the New Christ memorial church in LA, told the Associated Press: “Today my twin brother, womb-mate and best friend went home to be with the Lord. I tried to keep him here but God loved him best.”
As well as writing his own gospel tracks such as The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power and Soon and Very Soon, Crouch and his choir, The Disciples, sang on Madonna’s controversial hit Like a Prayer; he also arranged Man in the Mirror alongside Michael Jackson.
Crouch also worked with Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Quincy Jones and Elton John, and he received an Academy Award nomination for his work on the soundtrack for the 1985 film The Color Purple.
