Christian Retailing

Memorial services to honor legendary Crouch Print Email
Written by Shawn A. Akers   
Monday, 19 January 2015 09:29 AM America/New_York

Andrae-Crouch-playing-pianoA celebration of Andraé Crouch’s life will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and Wednesday, Jan. 21 at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, California. Both services will be open to the public.

On Tuesday, the viewing will take place from 2 PM to 5 PM, with a tribute celebration set for 7 PM.

The seven-time Grammy Award winner died at 72 on Jan. 8 after being hospitalized for health complications on Jan. 3.

The memorial service, preceded by another viewing on Wednesday from 9 AM until 10 AM, will begin and be officiated by Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, with the eulogy delivered by Pastor Marvin Winans. Artists CeCe and BeBe Winans, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell, Erica Campbell, Ledisi and Israel Houghton will perform in tribute to Crouch during the services. Mano Hanes and Bill Maxwell have assembled an all-star band, including an 80-voice choir.

Also scheduled to speak are the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Bobby Jones and Kirk Franklin.

Cable network BET will stream both services “LIVE” at bet.com/andraecrouchfuneral. West Angeles Church of God In Christ will also stream both services at watch.westa.tv.

“People are coming from all over the world to say goodbye, from as far away as Japan and South Africa,” says Crouch’s publicist, Brian Mayes. “Sandra Crouch (sister) and everyone on Andraé’s team appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the fans, media and music community. He would have been completely overwhelmed.”

In addition, video tributes will be shown by Bishop T.D. Jakes, Kenneth Copeland and Michael W. Smith.

The legendary Crouch won 6 GMA Dove Awards, an Academy Award nomination for “The Color Purple,” induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His songs have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Paul Simon, and he worked as a producer and arranger with many of music’s top artists, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Elton John and many others.

Crouch can also be heard on Michael Jackson’s hit singles “Man in the Mirror,” “Keep the Faith,” “Will You Be There” and “Earth Song.”