Gospel Pioneer David ‘Pop’ Winans.

David “Pop” Winans, one of the founding fathers of American gospel music, died last week at the age of 74. Winans is being remembered Wednesday in Detroit as patriarch of perhaps the most popular family in gospel music.

Fifty-five years ago, Winans married Delores “Mom” Winans. Ten children were born to that union. Little did “Pop” know that Winans would one day be — in many circles — a household name.

“He was our hero long before anyone knew who we were,” says the Rev. Marvin Winans of the hit gospel music group The Winans, and who now pastors Perfecting Church in Detroit. “My father was not a man that sought the light. He was very humble. And he would rather push us out there than for us to have him out there.”

After launching their careers, “Pop” watched as his sons went on to win six Grammy Awards, and as The Winans became one of the most popular gospel quartets of all time. Other Winans groups followed suit — Bebe and Cece, Angie and Debbie; even the grandchildren started a singing group. Today, the family continues to perform as a family group, in duos and as soloists.

In a recent chat, Marvin Winans reflects on the legacy of his father.

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