Sandra Crouch was a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and songwriter who also performed on several Motown records and contributed songs by the Jackson 5.
- Died: March 17, 2024 (Who else died on March 17?)
- Details of death: Died in California at the age of 81.
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Sandra Crouch’s legacy
Crouch grew up surrounded by gospel music. Her father, Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch (1915–1993), founded the Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California. In 1983, Sandra released her first solo album, “We Sing Praises.” The album won the Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female. She almost repeated the feat with her 1985 album, “Completely Yes,” which was nominated in the same category. All told, she released five solo albums. When not singing, she played tambourine, and she appeared on Jackson 5 hits like “ABC” and “I Want You Back.”
Her bond with her twin brother, celebrated gospel artist Andraé Crouch (1942–2015), was a major force throughout her life. The twins worked and performed together, forming the Church of God in Christ Singers (COGICS) in the 1960s as teenagers. They released two singles in 1964 and an album, “It’s a Blessing,” in 1966 with “fifth Beatle” Billy Preston (1946– 2006) and “the Queen of Northern Soul” Gloria Jones. The COGICS were best known for “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Crouch later joined her twin in Andraé Crouch & The Disciples, which blended gospel with R&B, jazz, and other genres.
Crouch and Andraé were co-pastors at Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California. She became senior pastor after her brother passed in 2015. The twins appeared as a duo on many recordings, including on the soundtrack for “The Color Purple.”
Tributes to Sandra Crouch
Full obituary: Journal of Gospel Music
