Gospel music star Andraé Crouch dies at 72

Andraé Crouch

Foremost Gospel music star Andraé Crouch, died on Thursday afternoon after suffering a heart attack. 

The 72-year-old, 7-time grammy winner had been hospitalised since Saturday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles USA.

Andraé wrote his first gospel tune at age 14. By 1960, he had formed the Church of God in Christ Singers, a group that featured Billy Preston on keyboards. He started another group, Andraé Crouch & the Disciples, in 1965, eventually signing to a contemporary Christian label, Light Records. 

Crouch brought a contemporary pop and R&B melodic sensibility to gospel, making him uniquely suited to appeal to both black and white audiences during the early days of the countercultural "Jesus movement" and also bringing him attention beyond the church.

Crouch was one of gospel performers that had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The singer, songwriter and choir director is known for such songs like "Mercy," "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power," "My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)" and "Soon and Very Soon,"

Before his death, Crouch and his sister, Sandra Crouch, lived in the Pacoima area of Los Angeles where they served as pastors at the New Christ Memorial Church in the Los Angeles suburb of San Fernando.