Soul and funk artist Gwen McCrae, notable for her 1975 chart-topping single “Rockin’ Chair,” has died at 81 following an extended illness. Her family confirmed her passing in Miami, Florida on Friday, February 21, 2025.
In a statement issued to the BBC, her children Wanda, Sophia, Leah, and Alex said, “While we will miss her dearly and our hearts are heavy, we find solace in knowing she is no longer suffering from the pain she endured in the last few years of her 81 years of life.”
McCrae, fondly called the “Queen of the Rare Groove,” gained fame in the mid-1970s as part of Miami’s influential Sunshine Sound, a movement that originated from TK Records. Her strong, soulful voice was instrumental in defining a period of dance-oriented music that would inspire many future artists.
McCrae, born Gwen Mosley in 1943 in Pensacola, Florida, started her musical journey at seven in a church choir. As a teenager, she performed in local clubs with groups such as The Lafayettes and The Independents. In 1963, a chance meeting with a young navy sailor named George McCrae led to marriage within a week.
The couple later signed with TK Records, a label run by Henry Stone and Steve Alaimo, which laid the groundwork for the disco boom of the 1970s. Initially performing together, Gwen was the first to secure a solo contract.
Her career breakthrough occurred in 1970 with a remake of the Bobby Bland song “Lead Me On,” which climbed the R&B charts. She followed this with other R&B hits such as “For Your Love,” but “Rockin’ Chair” launched her to mainstream fame in 1975. The single peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard pop charts and topped the R&B charts.
Soul Tracks described her hit song as follows: “Her rich alto voice sounded like she was still singing in church, but the lyrics were pure 70s pop/soul.”
Interestingly, her success with “Rockin’ Chair” came after her husband George had an unexpected hit with “Rock Your Baby” in 1974, a track initially meant for Gwen. “Rock Your Baby” was penned by KC and the Sunshine Band’s Harry Wayne Casey (KC) and Richard Finch. The couple’s respective musical successes reportedly led to marital discord, and they divorced in 1976.
Despite not having consistent mainstream chart success in the United States, McCrae continued to create well-received albums and amassed a loyal following, especially in the United Kingdom and Europe. Her discography, which includes dance anthems like “All This Love That I’m Givin’,” “90% of Me Is You,” “Keep the Fire Burning,” and “Funky Sensation,” has been extensively sampled by a diverse range of artists, including Lady Gaga, Cassius, Avicii, Madlib, Cypress Hill, and Mobb Deep.
McCrae remained an active figure in the music industry for many years, recording and performing regularly until she suffered a stroke while performing in England in 2012. This health setback left her paralyzed on her left side and unable to walk, effectively ending her performing career.
“The only time I’m really happy is when I’m on that stage, in front of my audience,” McCrae said in 1997. “Then I’m the happiest woman in the world.”
Over her lengthy career from 1969 to 2012, McCrae released 14 albums and was a significant figure in soul, disco, and funk music. Her final single, “Now I Found Love,” was released in 2010.
Following the announcement of her death, tributes have been pouring in from the music industry. English electronic duo Disclosure tweeted, “Rest in peace the great Gwen McCrae,” while DJ Dave Pearce stated, “Sad to learn of the passing of soul legend Gwen McCrae – thanks for all the amazing tunes.”
In their statement, McCrae’s family expressed their desire to celebrate “the remarkable legacy of a talented and gifted artist.” They further stated, “She poured her love into what she did and cherished her family, friends, and adoring fans worldwide.”
Though McCrae may not have reached the continuous commercial success of some of her peers, her impact on dance music, particularly in the UK’s Northern Soul and rare groove scenes, has marked her as a cult figure among record collectors and DJs. Her dynamic vocals and dance-oriented sound continue to reverberate today through samples, remixes, and the enduring appeal of her original tracks.
