Quick Facts
Biography
Ronald "Ron" Winans (June 30, 1956 – June 17, 2005) was an American Gospel singer who gained fame as a member of The Winans.
Biography
Early years
Ronald Winans was born the second of 10 children to David and Delores Winans.
Musical and business career
The Winans
He was a member of The Winans, which consisted of Ron and three of his younger brothers: Marvin, Carvin and Michael. The Winans were discovered by Andrae Crouch. They released their first album in 1981, entitled Introducing The Winans.
Winans' family and friends
Winans also had a thriving career as a solo artist, recording a series of CDs called Ron Winans Family & Friends, (numbered I-V). Each recording contained at least one song that became a commercial radio hit. Examples include songs such as "Abundant Life" with BeBe (Benjamin) Winans on lead vocals) which won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance 1989, "Stand" (which featured Donnie McClurkin on lead vocals) and "But God" (which featured Ron's younger brother BeBe (Benjamin) Winans on lead vocals).
In January 2005, Winans' final CD was released, Ron Winans Family & Friends V: A Celebration, which was recorded live at Greater Grace in Detroit, Michigan.
Gladys & Ron's Chicken & Waffles
He also co-founded, with Gladys Knight, the Gladys & Ron's Chicken & Waffles chain of restaurants.
Death
In 1997, Winans recovered from a massive heart attack.
In May and June 2005, he was admitted to Harper Hospital in Detroit for observation after doctors discovered that he was retaining an abnormal amount of fluid in his body. On June 16, 2005, the doctors announced that they did not feel Winans would make it through the night. Winans died early the next morning (June 17) due to heart complications, two weeks before his 49th birthday. The entire family had gathered at the hospital to be with him during his final moments. His interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Musical influences
One of his sisters, Priscilla "CeCe" Winans, dedicated her 2005 album Purified and her 2003 song "Mercy Said No" (from her album, Throne Room) to him.