Gwen McCrae, who scored several hits on the R&B and dance charts, has passed away. She was 81.
According to the Miami Herald, McCraw died at a care facility in North Miami Beach. Joe Stone, son of TK Records co-founder Henry Stone, confirmed her passing in an official statement.
“Gwen was an amazing singer. She really did help to shape hip-hop and dance music with her energetic soulful voice and Henry Stone’s pioneering and visionary contributions to music around the world,” Stone said. “Gwen was a force in Miami’s TK family. She was loved, admired and she will be missed — but never forgotten.”
Born Gwen Mosley on Dec. 21, 1943, in Pensacola, she began her singing career at her local church when she was seven years old. In 1963, she married George McCrae within a week of meeting him. Also, an aspiring singer, they formed a duo that caught the attention of Stone and songwriter-producer Steve Alaimo. Betty Wright, another Florida singing legend, introduced the Mcraes to the burgeoning Miami sound where they would achieve their greatest success.
Following several years of recording have some chart success. McCrae struck gold with “Rockin’ Chair” which reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on the R&B chart. An instant classic, it was an “answer record” to George’s hit the previous year “Rock Your Baby.”
After TK Records went out of business, McCrae inked a deal with Atlantic Records. She went on to record two albums and “Funky Sensation”, reaching #22 on the R&B chart in 1981. In 1982, “Keep the Fire Burning” was another R&B hit.
McCrae maintained a large following in Europe, especially in Europe. Relocating across the pond, some of her earlier recordings on the UK’s Northern Soul scene where she was a popular live performer.
As rap music became a worldwide phenomenon, McCrae’s music was heavily sampled by rap artists. LL Cool J, Blahzay Blahzay, Big Daddy Kane, Cam’ron, Afrika Bambaataa and The Jazzy 5, and the Lost Boyz are just some of the artists that used McCrae’s soulful music.
In 2004, McCrae released her first gospel album.
After performing on stage in England, she had a stroke which resulted in paralysis on the left side of her body and the inability to walk in 2012.
McCrae’s survivors include her children Wanda, Sophia, Leah, and Alex, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services will be private.
We at WBLS extend our prayers and deepest condolences, to the family and Gwen McCrae.