The Evolution of Rance Allen

The evolution of Bishop Rance Allen

Young Preacher - One of a dozen kids, Allen was touched by God from a very early age. He started preaching in 1953, at age 5, and before he was 10 he had a following across the Midwest.  (photo: STAX Records)
"I Belong to You" (1978) - The Rance Allen Group scored its first Top 30 hit in 1978 with "I Belong to You." The track became an R&B hit and demonstrated the group's style of fusing rock and soul into gospel music. (Photo: Gospel Truth Records)
Great Man of Gospel - Rance Allen was celebrated by his peers when he was named one of the Great Men of Gospel by the Black Academy of Arts and Letters in 2009.  (Photo: Earl E. Gibson III/BET)The Evolution of Rance Allen - Whether as a preacher or a singer, Rance Allen has spent more than 60 years spreading the word of God. The Monroe, Michigan, native created a new style of gospel through the Rance Allen Group, which he founded. Now, a look back at his remarkable career.  (Photo: Lamond Goodloe/PictureGroup)

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The Evolution of Rance Allen - Born in Monroe, Michigan, Rance Allen knew that he had a calling from an early age. The Gospel star started out ministering the Word as a 5-year-old and by the time he was 9, he had a following in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. His gift was no joke and Rance Allen became a licensed pastor by the time he was 12. (Photo: STAX Records)

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