R.I.P.: Singer Gwen McCrae, Gospel-Disco Singer

Gwen McCrae (1944-2025)

Gwen McCrae, the renowned soul, funk, and disco singer affectionately dubbed the "Queen of Rare Groove," passed away on February 21, 2025, at the age of 81. Her death marked the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the music world, particularly in the realms of R&B, soul, and dance music.

Born Gwen Mosley on December 21, 1943, in Pensacola, Florida, McCrae grew up in a musical, church-going family. She began singing in her church choir at age seven, laying the foundation for a voice that would later captivate audiences worldwide. 

Her career took off in the 1960s after meeting and marrying George McCrae, with whom she initially performed as a duo. Discovered by singer Betty Wright, the couple signed with Henry Stone’s TK Records in Miami, a hub for the emerging "Miami Sound." While George scored a global hit with "Rock Your Baby" in 1974, Gwen found her own success with the 1975 smash "Rockin’ Chair," which hit number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart. This track, with its infectious groove and soulful delivery, became her signature song and a proto-disco classic.

McCrae’s career flourished through the 1970s and beyond, with hits like "Funky Sensation" (1981) and "Keep the Fire Burning" (1982) cementing her status as a dance music icon. Her rich, throaty voice and ability to infuse emotional depth into dance-floor anthems made her a standout artist. After TK Records folded, she signed with Atlantic Records and continued recording, later finding a devoted following in the UK’s northern soul and rare groove scenes. Her music was widely sampled by artists like Lady Gaga, Cassius, and Avicii, ensuring her influence reached new generations.

Her performing career was cut short in June 2012 when she suffered a severe stroke while on stage in England. The stroke left her paralyzed on her left side and unable to walk or sing, effectively ending her live performances. For the next 13 years, she battled the lingering effects of this health crisis. 

According to her former husband, George McCrae, she died in a care facility in North Miami Beach, Florida, from complications related to that stroke. Joe Stone, son of TK Records co-founder Henry Stone, confirmed it, noting her role in shaping hip-hop and dance music.