In the early 70's when I was well into my teen years the gospel singer Andrae Crouch was a big deal in evangelical circles and he continued to have a huge influence on the genre for decades. He was revered by so many in the Christian music scene until his recent death. He crossed over into the pop/rock/soul mainstream as well, and somehow collaborated with so-called secular musicians while maintaining his Christian faith and integrity.
He worked with the likes of Michael Jackson and Paul Simon, his back-up singers or choir giving texture and soul to songs. Perhaps the most controversial song was Madonna's Like a Prayer, which quickly drew the wrath of the Roman Catholic church. In some respects it is a lovely devotional song, but there are definite sexual overtones.
Somehow Crouch could sing at Billy Graham revivals and on Saturday Night Live. Crouch's music is on the soundtrack to The Color Purple (for which he earned an Oscar nomination) and the Broadway musical The Lion King.
Andrae Crouch went to meet his Saviour --that 's probably the way he thought of it-- on January 8th, at age 72. His music was a prayer.
Do any of you know Crouch's music, or of his influence?
http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/09/andrae-crouch-dead-five-songs-michael-Jackson
Andre wrote and performed some pretty powerful Gospel music - memorable stuff that lingers in your head and heart - not always in synch with our denomination's theology, but in the late hours of solitude, it can bring hope and comfort... and the music itself is very "ear worm" prone ! You hear a lot of this on the Gaither Hour (if you still watch that ... I don't very often any more)
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