Gospel Singer, Songwriter Rickey Grundy has died at age 56.
The gifted artist and composer wrote the gospel classic, “Call Him Up (Can’t Stop Praising His Name),” made a national gospel hit in the 1980’s by Keith Pringle and the Pentecostal Community Choir. The late Los Angeles resident passed away July 27, 2015. He was the founder and director of The Rickey Grundy Chorale.
Rickey Grundy being interviewed by Gospel Entertainment Reporter Lin. Woods in the 1990’s at his Los Angeles studio.
Grundy was born Ricky R. Grundy, January 30, 1959 in Los Angeles, California. He made a name for himself in the late 1980’s with his Billboard charting national release of Spirit Come Down on Sparrow Records. In 1990 he released The Rickey Grundy Chorale.
As a prolific songwriter he created gospel gems for some of the 1990’s top gospel and inspirational artists, including Ann Nesby, the Wilmington Chester Mass Choir, the Gospel Music Workshop of America Mass Choir and Ron Kenoly.
I met Rickey back in the 1990s at the height of his popularity when I was the host of the popular international radio gospel entertainment news program, Inside Gospel. I interviewed him numerous times throughout the years. He was always gracious, passionate about his faith and music, and a lot of fun.
No official cause of death of Rickey Grundy has been made stated as of this post. Funeral arrangements are pending.