Gospel legend Rance Allen dies at the age of 71
Rance Allen 25th Annual Stellar Awards. Photo by Mona Austin. By Mona Austin One of the most distinguished vocalists in gospel music, Bishop Rance Allen died on Oct. 31. He was 71. Per a joint statement from his wife Ellen and manager Toby Jackson: “While recovering from a medical procedure at Heartland ProMedica [in Sylvania, OH], Bishop Rance Allen passed away around 3 AM this morning.” “I wasn’t expecting to hear this news this morning,” said Tyscot Records President, Bryant Scott, who was nearly speechless upon hearing of the singer’s death. “This is a great loss to us personally but also to the church community at large.” Photo by Mona Austin Allen formed the Rance Allen Group with his brothers Tom and Steve (sometimes accompanied by their brother Esau, a percussionist) in the 1970s. A multi-gifted singer and musician, as the leading man he doused R&B songs with gospel feeling, synchronizing contemporary stlye with classic soul. Discovered a...