Quick Facts
Biography
The Winans are an American gospel quartet from Detroit, Michigan, consisting of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans.
Members
Please refer to the Winans family page for more detail on the individual members.
About: Origins & Music
Origins
Brothers Ronald, Marvin, Carvin, and Michael Winans, the second, third, fourth and fifth siblings of the Winans family, grew up in Detroit, Michigan. They were discovered by Andrae Crouch, who signed them to Light Records.
Music
Brothers Ronald, Marvin, and Carvin made two albums in 1974 without Michael, and in 1975 with Michael under the name "The Testimonial Singers".
Their big break was their first record Introducing The Winans, produced in 1981 by Andrae Crouch, two years after he discovered them and invited them to tour with him.
They performed vocals in This Is America, Charlie Brown's segment "The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad" in 1989. Their style was noted for its crossover efforts and received airplay on R&B radio. The group's last recording was in 1995. They have been involved in various Winans family projects where they are credited as "The Winans", e.g. November 2000's Christmas: Our Gifts To You.
The eldest brother of the group Ronald Winans died on June 17, 2005, of retaining fluid.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | USR&B | USGospel | USCCM | |||
| 1981 | Introducing The Winans
| — | — | — | — | |
| 1983 | Long Time Comin'
| — | — | 8 | — | |
| 1984 | Tomorrow
| — | — | 3 | — | |
| 1985 | Let My People Go
| — | 57 | 1 | — | |
| 1987 | Decisions
| 109 | 30 | 1 | 12 | |
| 1988 | Live At Carnegie Hall
| — | — | 13 | 22 | |
| 1990 | Return
| 90 | 12 | 1 | 4 |
|
| 1993 | All Out
| — | 41 | 15 | 9 |
|
| 1995 | Heart & Soul
| — | — | 3 | 12 | |
| 2000 | Christmas: Our Gifts to You
| — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||
Compilation
| Year | Album details | Chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USGospel | ||||||
| 1990 | The Best Of The Winans
| — | ||||
| 1994 | Feel the Spirit
| - | ||||
| 1995 | The Light Years
| — | ||||
| 2002 | Legends Of Gospel
| — | ||||
The Very Best Of The Winans
| 16 | |||||
| 2003 | Great Family Of Gospel
| — | ||||
| 2004 | Gospel Greats
| — | ||||
| 2005 | The Definitive Original Greatest Hits
| — | ||||
| 2008 | Gospel Legacy
| — | ||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USR&B | UK | ||||
| 1985 | "Let My People Go" | 42 | 71 | Let My People Go | |
| "Very Real Way" | — | — | |||
| 1986 | "The Real Meaning of Christmas" | — | — | The Real Meaning of Christmas (Maxi-single)/"Decisions" | |
| 1987 | "Ain't No Need To Worry" (feat. Anita Baker) | 15 | — | Decisions | |
| "Love Has No Color" (feat. Michael McDonald) | — | — | |||
| "Give Me You" | — | — | |||
| 1989 | "Lean On Me" (with Thelma Houston) | 73 | — | Lean On Me (Soundtrack) | |
| 1990 | "It's Time" (featuring Teddy Riley) | 5 | — | Return | |
| "A Friend" (featuring Aaron Hall) | 11 | — | |||
| "When You Cry" (featuring Kenny G) | 40 | — | |||
| 1991 | "Don't Leave Me" | 34 | — | ||
| 1993 | "Payday" (featuring R. Kelly) | 74 | — | All Out | |
| 1994 | "That Extra Mile" | — | — | ||
| 1995 | "Heart & Soul" | 89 | — | Heart & Soul | |
| 1996 | "Count It All Joy" | — | — | ||
| "Standing On Promises | — | — | |||
Awards
- Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: All Out (1993)
- Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Let Brotherly Love Continue" (Daniel Winans featuring The Winans & BeBe Winans) (1990)
- Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group, Choir Or Chorus: The Winans Live At Carnegie Hall (1988)
- Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Ain't No Need To Worry" (The Winans featuring Anita Baker) (1987)
- Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Let My People Go" (1986)
- Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male: "Bring Back The Days Of Yea And Nay" (Marvin Winans) (1985)
- Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Tomorrow" (1985)