Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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CROUCH, Andrae

(b 1 July '42, Los Angeles) Gospel singer, songwriter, keyboards. Played piano and sang in church choirs at an early age. Formed band the COGICS (Church Of God In Christ Singers) early '60s, with twin sister Sandra, Blinky Williams, Billy Preston, Gloria Jones, Frankie Spring and Edna Wright; made one LP for VeeJay and won numerous awards. New band Disciples formed '65; toured playing mixture of gospel, rock, soul; LP Take The Message Everywhere '69 on Light. Sandra had been singing back-up for Diana Ross and others, rejoined brother '70. Continued touring; series of LPs featured guest shots by Stevie Wonder, the Crusaders and others; Crouch has also won Grammy awards '75-8-9, written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, The Imperials, Pat Boone. Autobiography Through It All. Gospel CDs by Andrea and Sandra on CGI, plus Andrea's The Light Years on Light, Mercy on Qwest.