The Evolution of Rance Allen

The young preacher took the gospel world by storm.

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 - 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)

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)

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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)

The Rance Allen Group - A natural born leader, Rance formed the Rance Allen Group with his brothers, Tom, Steve and Esau. Almost immediately, the brothers scored a recording contract with Stax Records. (Photo: Earl E. Gibson III/BET)

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The Rance Allen Group - A natural born leader, Rance formed the Rance Allen Group with his brothers, Tom, Steve and Esau. Almost immediately, the brothers scored a recording contract with Stax Records. (Photo: Earl E. Gibson III/BET)

The Rance Allen Group (1972) - The group released their debut album in 1972 to much critical acclaim. They were named Best Religious Group by the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers.  (Photo: Gospel Truth Records)

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The Rance Allen Group (1972) - The group released their debut album in 1972 to much critical acclaim. They were named Best Religious Group by the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers.  (Photo: Gospel Truth Records)

Photo By Photo: Gospel Truth Records

First Comes Love - Allen married evangelist Ellen Marie Groves in December 1970. The couple share a love of music and God, and have worked side by side in ministries since their marriage. Though they never had any children, they are godparents to several.(Photo: Randi Radcliff/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)

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First Comes Love - Allen married evangelist Ellen Marie Groves in December 1970. The couple share a love of music and God, and have worked side by side in ministries since their marriage. Though they never had any children, they are godparents to several.(Photo: Randi Radcliff/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)

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"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)

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"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)

Photo By Photo: Gospel

Preacher Man - Though he had been spreading the Word since he was a child, Allen entered a new phase of his spiritual growth in 1985, when he joined the New Bethel Church of God in Christ in Toledo, Ohio. The Bishop still serves at the church today. (Photo: BET)

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Preacher Man - Though he had been spreading the Word since he was a child, Allen entered a new phase of his spiritual growth in 1985, when he joined the New Bethel Church of God in Christ in Toledo, Ohio. The Bishop still serves at the church today. (Photo: BET)

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)

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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)

Photo By Photo: Earl E. Gibson III/BET

Stellar Showing - The group was honored for their decades of influence on gospel music at the 2012 Stellar Awards, where they won two prizes: Quartet of the Year and Traditional Group/Duo of the Year. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Stellar Showing - The group was honored for their decades of influence on gospel music at the 2012 Stellar Awards, where they won two prizes: Quartet of the Year and Traditional Group/Duo of the Year. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Celebration of Gospel - The Rance Allen Group are set to bring down the house once again at the 2013 Celebration of Gospel, where they are set to perform for the fourth year in a row. The Celebration of Gospel airs on April 7 at 8P/7C, only on BET! (Photo: Ilya Dreyvitser/WireImage)

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Celebration of Gospel - The Rance Allen Group are set to bring down the house once again at the 2013 Celebration of Gospel, where they are set to perform for the fourth year in a row. The Celebration of Gospel airs on April 7 at 8P/7C, only on BET! (Photo: Ilya Dreyvitser/WireImage)