This Detroit-based, traditionally trained Black gospel group formed in the '60s and were the first traditional gospel group to incorporate rock, jazz, and soul into their music. They were harbingers for the contemporary Christian music movement popularized in the late '70s by Andrae Crouch, Amy Grant, and the Winans. Rance Allen scored a Top 30 R&B hit in 1979 with "I Belong to You," one of two Stax singles that year to make the charts. His recordings for Gospel Truth, Capitol, and Stax proved quite popular among gospel audiences, and had some success attracting soul fans as well. Allen continued recording and performing through the '90s, releasing Miracle Worker with the Rance Allen Group in spring 2000. ~ Bil Carpenter & Ron Wynn