The soul and funk music world mourns the loss of Gwen McCrae, best known for her 1975 classic “Rockin’ Chair”. The American songstress died at the age of 81 after a protracted illness. Her family confirmed her passing on February 21, 2025, in Miami, Florida.
Her children, Wanda, Sophia, Leah and Alex, in a statement to the BBC, expressed their comfort in knowing that their mother was now free from the pain she had experienced in her latter years.
Also known as the “Queen of the Rare Groove,” McCrae’s rise to fame in the mid-1970s was closely associated with Miami’s Sunshine Sound, a movement spearheaded by TK Records. Her dynamic and soulful voice set the tone for a dance music era that would go on to inspire many future artists.
Born as Gwen Mosley in 1943, in Pensacola, Florida, her musical journey started in a church choir at the age of seven. As a teenager, she joined local bands such as The Lafayettes and The Independents, performing in local clubs. Her life took an unexpected turn when she met George McCrae, a young navy sailor.
After marrying George McCrae a week after their first meeting in 1963, they joined TK Records, a label headed by Henry Stone and Steve Alaimo. This label would later lay the groundwork for the disco boom of the 1970s. Although they started as a duo, Gwen was the first to sign a solo contract.
Her big break came in 1970 with a rendition of Bobby Bland’s “Lead Me On,” which enjoyed success on the R&B charts. She followed this with other R&B hits including “For Your Love,” but it was “Rockin’ Chair” in 1975 that shot her to mainstream fame. The single reached No. 9 on the Billboard pop charts and topped the R&B charts.
Her voice in “Rockin’ Chair” was described by Soul Tracks as a rich alto that had the feel of church singing, but with lyrics that were quintessential 70s pop/soul.
Interestingly, “Rockin’ Chair” came after her husband, George, had a hit in 1974 with “Rock Your Baby”, a song originally meant for Gwen. The success of “Rock Your Baby,” written by Harry Wayne Casey (KC) and Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band, reportedly led to a strain in their marriage, resulting in their divorce in 1976.
Despite not having further mainstream chart success in the United States, McCrae continued to produce acclaimed albums and cultivated a dedicated fan base, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe. Artists like Lady Gaga, Cassius, Avicii, Madlib, Cypress Hill, and Mobb Deep have heavily sampled her discography, which includes dance numbers like “All This Love That I’m Givin’,” “90% of Me Is You,” “Keep the Fire Burning,” and “Funky Sensation.”
McCrae remained active in the music scene for several decades, recording and performing until 2012 when she suffered a stroke during a performance in England. The stroke left her with paralysis on the left side and ended her performance career.
McCrae once said in 1997, “The only time I’m really happy is when I’m on that stage, in front of my audience. Then I’m the happiest woman in the world.”
Over her career spanning 1969 to 2012, McCrae released 14 albums and became a significant figure in soul, disco, and funk music. She released her final single, “Now I Found Love,” in 2010.
Following the announcement of her death, tributes from the music industry have poured in. English electronic duo Disclosure posted, “Rest in peace the great Gwen McCrae,” while DJ Dave Pearce said, “Sad to learn of the passing of soul legend Gwen McCrae – thanks for all the amazing tunes.”
The McCrae family, in their statement, expressed their desire to celebrate “the remarkable legacy of a talented and gifted artist.” They added, “She poured her love into what she did, and cherished her family, friends, and adoring fans worldwide.”
Although McCrae did not achieve the continuous commercial success of some of her peers, her impact on dance music, especially in the UK’s Northern Soul and rare groove scenes, has made her a cult figure among record collectors and DJs. Her potent vocals and dance-oriented music continue to reverberate today through samples, remixes, and the enduring popularity of her original tracks.