Iconic gospel singer Andraé Crouch dies at 72

By Edmund Smith-Asante

Andrae Crouch (behind keyboard) when he featured in Harvest Praise 2010

Music legend Andraé Crouch passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at approximately 4:30pm Pacific Standard Time, at Northridge Hospital Medical Centre in the Los Angeles area.

Andraé, 72, was hospitalised on Saturday, January 3rd.

According to his sister Sandra Crouch, Andraé was taken to the hospital on Saturday to address "some serious health complications that have arisen."

He had faced numerous health issues over the past few years including various forms of cancer and congestive heart failure. He was rushed to the hospital in October 2013 due to an episode related to his diabetic condition.

Sandra, who asked for continued prayers for her brother when he was admitted, said   "At this time, Andraé is being attended to by a medical team, and we are so grateful for their wonderful care.

"We are also so grateful for the many thousands of people around the world who are praying for Andraé right now. We ask for your continued prayer that Andraé will respond positively to the medical attention being given to him at this time, and that he will fully recover from this current health complication.'

However, in spite of Andraé's initial positive response to medication, the singer did not overcome the ‘complications’ and passed on to glory.

A Facebook post had read that the prayers were working, and that Andraé had shown some positive response to the medical attention that had 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," it said.

Andraé's accolades include seven Grammy Awards, six GMA Dove Awards, an Academy Award nomination for "The Color Purple," induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Andraé with his singers at the Harvest Praise concert in Ghana, in 2010

His songs have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Paul Simon, and he has worked as a producer and arranger with many of music's top artists, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Elton John and many others. Andraé can also be heard on Michael Jackson's hit singles "Man in the Mirror," "Keep the Faith," "Will You Be There" and "Earth Song."

A gospel legend, he has enjoyed over 50 years in the music industry and was also inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

Andraé and Sandra Crouch serve as pastors of New Christ memorial Church in San Fernando, California.