On 8^th January, Andraé Crouch the father of modern gospel music died of a heart attack aged 72 in Los Angeles. For many Andraé Crouch was unknown because he did so little to promote himself out of his own humility, but rarely will you meet a Christian who doesn’t sing his songs without knowing. “Soon and very soon we are going to see the King” became a reality for Andraé as he crossed over the river and joined his parents and brother leaving behind his twin sister Sandra.

I first discovered Andraé in 1977. I went to university and there picked up an album “Live at Carnegie Hall”. I read the story of it, how that a prayer meeting was held in a nearby church all the way through the concert supporting the outreach event. Andraé denied it was a concert and said “we’re having church”. Church it was – thousands of people rejoicing in the name of Jesus and singing His praise. The album begins with a distinctive introduction to “I don’t know why” which has been the ring tone on my phone for the last two years. From the first note there was a sense of God’s spirit at work and I was hooked.

I have said it many times, but I say it again – Andrae has had the single biggest impact on my Christian life in terms of encouragement and direction – greater than any preacher! I will miss his physical presence, but as long as I have ears I will not miss his voice or music.

I have lost track of how many albums I have bought, but I have them all, so look them up. I saw him live twice, each time was unique and memorable. Even last year (2014) I pre-ordered his last album “Live in Los Angeles” so that I had it on the day of release. Everyone was different – a range of styles and melodies, rhythms and guest stars. Everyone wanted to work with Andraé and everyone wanted Andraé to work with them – Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones…the list goes on. At his 4 ½ hour funeral Stevie Wonder notably said how honoured he was when Andraé asked him to play harmonica on one track!

Speaking of funerals, the 4 ½ hours flew by. The good and the great paid tribute and the surviving members of his original band “The Disciples” all sang. Krystal Murden, Linda McCrary and Tata Vega showed they still had the voices to stir us to tears.

Crouch's original music arrangements were heard in the films The Color Purple and Disney’s The Lion King. He won 7 Grammy awards was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004. He also was notably honoured by his home of Los Angeles for his considerable work with the poor and drug addicts.

Time and time again at the funeral, people commented that Andraé never compromised the gospel when he sang. His concerts usually ended with an appeal for people to come forward to receive Christ as Saviour. Even the song he sang at the Grammy awards in 1980 tells you something about the importance of the message over the music to him.

Possibly his most famous song “My Tribute (To God be theGlory)” gave its name to a tribute album in 1996 when many other great names of gospel music came together to sing from his songbook.

Right up to the last couple of years he continued to add songs to the list of greats – “Mighty Wind”, “The Promise” and “Let the Church Say Amen”. They are all songs I will continue to sing and express myself to God with.

My daughter Libby Redman was brought up in a house where Andrae was played and she developed a great gospel voice – hence we are putting on an Andrae Crouch Tribute Concert at 7.30pm on March 21^st – something we had planned long before he died.

As a sample of what to expect listen to Libby performing a song Andrae wrote when he was only 14.

On the evening of the 8th January President Barack Obama sent his condolences to Sandra and put out a press release that included these words:

"the soulful classics that Pastor Crouch created over the years have uplifted the hearts and minds of several generations and his timeless influence continues to be felt in not only gospel but a variety of music genres - his music and spirit will continue to live on for years to come.”

Andraé Crouch continues to touch us all. Don't miss the tribute concert on March 21st at 7.30pm, 43 Monkgate, York - free entry!