The Winans

Helping to create a contemporary, urban gospel sound for the 1980s, The Winans were four brothers who brought Christian praise songs into the pop charts and established their family as leading stars of gospel and church music.

Growing up in a large, religious family, brothers Ronald, Marvin, Carvin and Michael Winans sang together in baptist choirs in Detroit, Michigan before being spotted by singer, producer and all-round music impresario Andraé Crouch, who signed them to his label Light Records. They were moulded into a slick, young, crossover act on debut album 'Introducing' in 1981, but really made a mainstream breakthrough when third album 'Tomorrow' reached number three in the US Gospel Charts and its title track became a popular national radio hit.

They moved over to Quincy Jones's Qwest label for the 1985 album 'Let My People Go', and although some religious figures were unhappy that they were mixing traditional songs with strutting pop production, their duet 'Ain't No Need to Worry' with Anita Baker became an R&B favourite of the era. They also worked with songwriter and producer Teddy Riley on singles 'A Friend' and 'It's Time' and dipped their toes into the the new jack swing style that he was innovating, before establishing themselves as one of America's top gospel groups with successful album 'Decisions' and a sold out show at New York's Carnegie Hall. They also performed with R. Kelly on the track 'Payday' and won their sixth Grammy Award for the album 'All Out' in 1993; but after Ronald suffered a heart attack in 1997 the group petered out.

Many other members of their family have followed in the brothers' footsteps and had successful music careers, including younger siblings BeBe and CeCe Winans, sisters Angie and Debbie Winans and their parents, who performed as Mom and Pop Winans.