Gospel music innovator Andraé Crouch, who performed at many Billy Graham Crusades dating back to the 1970s, has died at age 72.
Crouch passed away Thursday in Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack on Saturday.
“He was very real, radiant, joyous, and totally abandoned to the ministry he was doing and the songs he was singing,” said Cliff Barrows, longtime music and program director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Mr. Barrows said he had the privilege of interviewing Crouch in the studio many years ago and talked to him about the first song he wrote, “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Mr. Barrows went on to quote some of the lyrics, “It flows from the highest mountain, it reaches to the deepest valleys, His love that gives me strength from day-to-day will never lose its power.”
Crouch also performed at Franklin Graham Festivals, including the 2006 Metro Maryland Franklin Graham Festival in Baltimore, where Billy Graham preached live in a stadium for the final time.
Crouch wrote dozens of songs, including gospel favorites such as “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” ”My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “Soon and Very Soon,” performed at a public memorial to Michael Jackson.
“Let’s go on living in the strength Andraé sang about so beautifully and composed, and let’s keep making His praise glorious (Psalm 66:2b) in our reflection of a relationship with Him,” Mr. Barrows said.
Here is a video of Andraé Crouch performing at the 1975 Billy Graham Crusade in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
‘I Love Walking with Him:’ Read a Q&A with Andraé Crouch from this 2006 Decision article.
