The Rance Allen Group

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The Rance Allen Group
Origin
Rance Allen

Thomas Allen
Steve Allen

The Rance Allen Group was a gospel music group formed in Monroe, Michigan, and based in Toledo, Ohio, named after its lead vocalist, Bishop Rance Allen.[1]

The group was formed by vocalist, guitarist, pianist, and songwriter Rance Allen (b. Monroe, Michigan)[2] with his brothers Tom (drums) and Steve (bass guitar); another brother, Esau (percussionist), joined the group on an intermittent basis.[3]: 256  During an appearance at a gospel talent contest in Detroit, Michigan, they came to the attention of one of the judges, record promoter Dave Clark, who worked for Stax Records.[1][3]: 255–256  The group was the first to be signed to the Stax imprint Gospel Truth, and they recorded for the Stax organization throughout the 1970s.[1][3]: 256  In 1972, the group appeared in the documentary film Wattstax.[3]: 270  Following this appearance, the group was named "Best Religious Group" by the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA).[3]: 272  David Porter co-produced the group's 1975 album A Soulful Experience, for which he wrote an autobiographical song, "Just Found Me".[3]: 363 

The group's incorporation of

Andrae Crouch, and The Winans.[1][4] In 1978, the group had a Top 30 R&B hit, "I Belong to You."[4]

The group received a nomination at the

Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for their 1991 album Phenomenon.[5]

The group's latest release, God Has Been So Good, is a collaboration with hip-hop pioneer Glenn “Sweety G” Toby, producer Bernard Jackson and new gospel artist Mydason.

Rance Allen

Rance Allen (November 19, 1948 – October 31, 2020)[6][2] was an American Bishop, Minister, and gospel musician, and the founder and leader of the Rance Allen Group. Known for his extremely wide vocal range and powerful singing voice,[7] Allen became known as the main lead vocalist and the leader[8] of the influential group.[9]

He was the senior pastor of the New Bethel Church Of God In Christ in Toledo, Ohio, since its July 1985 establishment.[10] In November 2011, Rance Allen was elevated to the office of Bishop in the Church of God in Christ, for the Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction.[10]

Allen was born in 1948 in

Afro-Latino American heritage.[11][12] He had 11 siblings: six sisters and five brothers. Allen founded the Rance Allen Group in Detroit in 1969 joined by his brothers Thomas and Steve.[13]

Allen was married to Ellen Marie Allen (

née Groves). The two were married on December 1, 1970.[14]
The couple had no children together.

Allen and his group had performed with many gospel musicians throughout the country, including

Grammy Awards.[2]

Allen died on October 31, 2020, from complications due to a medical procedure he had the previous week. He was 71 years old.[2][15]

Awards

Year Award-giving body Award Reference
2012 Stellar Awards Quartet of the Year: "The Live Experience II: Celebrating 40 Years of Music and Ministry" [16]
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year: "The Live Experience II: Celebrating 40 Years of Music and Ministry" [16]

Discography

  • Rance Allen Group (1972)
  • Truth Is Where It's At (1972)
  • Brothers (1973)
  • Sanctified (1975; UK-only compilation)
  • A Soulful Experience (1975; reissued 1981 as Ain't No Need Of Crying)
  • Say My Friend (1977; reissued 1979 as The Way It Is)
  • Straight from the Heart (1978; reissued on CD with bonus tracks in 1994)
  • Smile (1979)
  • I Feel Like Goin' On (1980)
  • Hear My Voice (1983)
  • I Give Myself to You (1984)
  • The Best of The Rance Allen Group (1988) (Stax Records)
  • Phenomenon (1991)
  • Up Above My Head (1995 compilation)
  • You Make Me Wanna Dance (1995)
  • Let The Music Get Down In Your Soul (1997; vault release)
  • Miracle Worker (2000)
  • The Soulful Truth Of The Rance Allen Group (2001; UK-only compilation)
  • All the Way (2002)
  • Wattstax (various artists; box set) (2003)
  • The Live Experience (2004)
  • Closest Friend (2007)
  • The Live Experience II (2011)
  • Amazing Grace (2012)
  • Celebrate (2014)
  • Live From San Francisco (2016)
  • God Has Been So Good (2020)[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hildebrand, Lee (1994). Straight from the Heart (Media notes). Rance Allen. Berkeley, CA: Fantasy Records. SCD-8589-2.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kuehnlein, McKenzie (October 31, 2020). "Gospel legend Bishop Rance Allen dies at the age of 71". 13abc.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-02-860268-4
    .
  4. ^
    AllMusic
  5. ISBN 0399524770
    .
  6. ^ "Bishop Rance Allen 1948 - 2020". The Blade. November 1, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  7. ^ Willis, Fred (April 9, 2014). "There's no stopping the show-stopping Rance Allen Group at Jazz Fest". AXS. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  8. ^ Hallman, Charles (February 9, 2017). "Legendary Rance Allen Group still stirring souls after all these years". MSR.
  9. ^ Patrick, Kris (February 27, 2013). "RANCE ALLEN HOLDS PRIVATE SCREENING OF NEW DOCUMENTARY "MUSIC MAJORS" – The Legend Celebrates 40+ Years in Gospel Music". Path Megazine. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
  10. ^ a b "Bishop Rance Allen Bio". The Rance Allen Group. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  11. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  12. ^ "THE OFFICIAL RANCE ALLEN GROUP SITE - NEW MUSIC | NEW VIDEOS | BAND MEMBER BIO'S AND MORE". theranceallengroup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  13. ^ "The Rance Allen Group Story". The Rance Allen Group. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  14. ^ "Ellen M. Allen Biography-New Bethel Bountiful Blessings COGIC". Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  15. ^ Alaa Elassar (31 October 2020). "Gospel legend Bishop Rance Allen dies at age 71". CNN. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  16. ^ a b "RANCE ALLEN GROUP WINS TWO STELLAR AWARDS". christianpost.com.

External links

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