Gospel legend Andrae Crouch has passed away of complications from a heart attack suffered last week. He was 72.

Aside from Edwin Hawkins, Crouch was probably more responsible than any other artist for gaining mainstream acceptance of gospel music.

What I remember the most about Crouch was a guest appearance he made on SCTV. It was a Christmas special and skit featured the late John Candy as Johnny LaRue, a slimy conman who has reached his low. Crouch suddenly appears as a homeless man, takes LaRue to the Melonville Men’s Mission. After admonishing LaRue for his selfishness, he sings him a song of salvation called “Soon and Very Soon”. It’s been more than 30 years since I’ve seen this, but I still remember both the skit and the song.