| NPR Shop | NPR Community | Login | Register

Share this page using one of the following services:

  • Stumble Upon
 

What is this?

 

Gospel Pioneer David 'Pop' Winans Dead At 74

David 'Pop' Winans, Sr.
The Winans Family

David "Pop" Winans Sr. died April 8 in Nashville, Tenn. He was 74.

Web Extra

'Tell Me More' producer Lee Hill recently sat with the Rev. Marvin Winans, who shared memories of his late father.

April 15, 2009 - David "Pop" Winans, one of the founding fathers of American gospel music, died last week at the age of 74. Winans is being remembered Wednesday in Detroit as patriarch of perhaps the most popular family in gospel music.

Fifty-five years ago, Winans married Delores "Mom" Winans. Ten children were born to that union. Little did "Pop" know that Winans would one day be — in many circles — a household name.

"He was our hero long before anyone knew who we were," says the Rev. Marvin Winans of the hit gospel music group The Winans, and who now pastors Perfecting Church in Detroit. "My father was not a man that sought the light. He was very humble. And he would rather push us out there than for us to have him out there."

After launching their careers, "Pop" watched as his sons went on to win six Grammy Awards, and as The Winans became one of the most popular gospel quartets of all time. Other Winans groups followed suit — Bebe and Cece, Angie and Debbie; even the grandchildren started a singing group. Today, the family continues to perform as a family group, in duos and as soloists.

In a recent chat, Marvin Winans reflects on the legacy of his father.

Share this page using one of the following services:

  • Stumble Upon
 

What is this?

 

Comments

Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.

 
 

Feeds

PodcastRSS

  • Music News
     
  • Tell Me More