Gospel singer, producer, writer and minister Andrae Crouch has died in Los Angeles. He was 72.
"I tried to keep him here but God loved him best," said his sister, Sandra Crouch, to the LA Times.
Crouch suffered a heart attack Jan. 3 and died Thursday, The Associated Press reports.
Crouch’s five-decade career included countless classics and seven Grammy awards. He collaborated with Michael Jackson, Madonna and others.
His musical work in “The Color Purple” (1989) earned him an Oscar nomination. He also arranged music for "The Lion King" (1994).
Crouch recently canceled a tour due to pneumonia and congestive heart failure.
Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk.