Sandra Crouch, who passed away at age 81 on March 17, was widely known as the twin sister of gospel legend Andraé Crouch. But the artist, whose talents included songwriting, percussion, producing, directing choirs, and arranging vocals, also carved her own path and left her own indelible mark on gospel and the entire music industry.

“What can I say? I’m sad, but rejoicing because Sandra Crouch will be missed,” said CeCe Winans, noted as the bestselling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time. “She made such an impact here on earth. I know she will be received with a glorious welcome.”

Together, Andraé and Sandra formed a powerful bond with the group Andraé Crouch and the Disciple, releasing such classics as “Take Me Back,” “Soon and Very Soon,” “Through It All,” “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “Jesus is the Answer,” which was covered by more than 75 artists, including Paul Simon.

“She was a strong presence in everything (Andraé) did,” said Ken Ehrlich, former executive producer of the Grammy® Awards, noting that Sandra was key in organizing the impressive choirs for the telecasts in the 80s. She “shined from the back,” said award-winning gospel artist and producer Donald Lawrence: “She loved seeing others win…Her support for her brother Andraé was something I can’t explain.”

Even as she supported her brother, Sandra Crouch also did session work as a percussionist. Among the notable recordings she played on were The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” Neil Diamond’s “Tap Root Manuscript” which featured “Cracklin’ Rosie,” and Janis Joplin’s “Pearl” that featured “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Bil Carpenter, a longtime friend of the Crouches and author of “Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia” remembers that Sandra, being a supportive sister, had an integral role in one of gospel music’s greatest songs.

“When Andraé wrote ‘The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power’, he thought, ‘This has nothing to it,’ Carpenter said. “He was writing and to him, it sounded corny. He threw it in the trash. She took it out of the trash and said, ‘This is something.’…That laid the foundation for everything that came after.”

Donnie McClurkin, who first met the Crouches as a child in 1971, considered them spiritual mentors; “Throughout my career in gospel music, her impact and influence in gospel music is legendary! She was and is a true legend.”

Beyond shaping the world of gospel, the Crouches were called on to organize choirs for the biggest names in rock and pop music, including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Madonna. Carpenter said their participation in songs such as “Like a Prayer,” “Man in the Mirror” and “You Are Not Alone” caused controversy in the church at the time, but others felt like they were modeling a Savior who faced his own accusations of worldly associations. They also wrote “Heaven Belongs to You” and sang “Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Something” for the movie “The Color Purple.”  That led to other scores for films including Disney’s animated classic “The Lion King” and “Free Willy.”

As a solo artist, Sandra was credited with saving Light Records from financial bankruptcy with the success of her 1983 award-winning project she funded and produced with her money. “We Sing Praises” included the songs “He’s Worthy,” “There is Power in the Blood,” and “We Need to Hear From You.”

In a social media video “Why Sandra Crouch Matters,” singer-songwriter Dara Starr Tucker noted subsequent Light Records releases that might not have happened if the label had failed; “Without Sandra, we might not have had the Winans’ ‘Tomorrow’ album, might not have had the first five Commissioned albums. Walter Hawkins’ ‘Love Alive III’ didn’t come out until 1984, so we might not have had that either.”

Sandra Elaine Crouch will be memorialized on April 16-17. Services will include a musical tribute on April 16 featuring El DeBarge, Donnie McClurkin, David & Nicole Binion, and Erica & Tina Campbell (Mary Mary). On April 17, Pastor Marvin Winans will attend the homegoing service where Crouch will be eulogized by her spiritual son and Assistant Church Pastor, Kenneth J. Cook.

Pastor Winans, a musical pioneer himself with his group The Winans, said that Andraé and Sandra both “made an undeniable impact…. Their consistency in preaching Jesus and exhorting listeners, it was very clear which they side were on. There will be a void for sure. They made a difference.”