Andrae Crouch, who won seven Grammy awards over the course of his decades-long career, died in Los Angeles Thursday, according to his publicist Brian Mayes of the Nashville Publicity Group.
The legendary gospel singer, songwriter, record producer and pastor, spent his final days being treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he was admitted Saturday after suffering a heart attack, Mayes said in a statement posted on the firm’s website.
In addition to his Grammys, Crouch received an Academy Award nomination for his work on the score for the 1985 film “The Color Purple.” He was also inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Crouch was born in San Francisco on July 1, 1942. Over the years, he wrote such hit songs as “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” ”My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “Soon and Very Soon.”
He also worked as a producer and arranger with such music industry giants as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross and Elton John, and could be heard on Michael Jackson’s hit singles “Man in the Mirror,” “Keep the Faith,” “Will You Be There” and “Earth Song.”
Crouch was a pastor at the New Christ Memorial Church in the San Fernando Valley, and lived with his sister and fellow pastor, Sandra Crouch.