Sadness enveloped the Los Angeles faith community upon learning of the passing of Dr. Rickey Grundy, a multi-talented, award-winning musician, composer, director and producer. Grundy died on July 27 at the age of 56.
Known throughout the nation for his popular group, The Rickey Grundy Chorale, he mesmerized audiences with his arrangements of tracks such as “Happier With Jesus,” “Spirit of the Living God,” “Call Him Up,” and “Just Say the Word.” In addition, Grundy appeared in concert and recorded with several artists including Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Smokie Norful, Kelly Clarkson, Dr. Bobby Jones, Jennifer Holiday, Michael Jackson, Andraé Crouch, Billy Preston, the Rev. James Cleveland, and the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA).
According to friends, Grundy had been recently experiencing health challenges. His associates were planning a tribute and fundraising concert for him on August 30.
Grundy is the son of the Rev. Dr. James and Mrs. Evelyn C. Perkins, pastor and first lady of True Friendship Baptist Church in Inglewood, and the godson of the Rev. Dr. Melvin V. Wade, Sr., pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
His life and legacy will be celebrated at two events at Mount Moriah, 4269 South Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. A tribute concert is set for Friday, August 7, at 7 p.m., and his homegoing service takes place on Saturday, August 8, at 11 a.m. Viewings will be on Friday, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to Mrs. Perkins, 525 W. 58th St., Los Angeles, California 90037.
A native of Los Angeles, Grundy was born January 30, 1959. Considered a prodigy by the age of 4, he graduated from Manual Arts High School at age 15 and enrolled in the University of Southern California Conservatory of Music.
His extensive music education included studies in piano performance and theory at CSU-Long Beach and Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL; jazz at El Camino College in Torrance, and broadcast engineering at Los Angeles City College. Also, he earned a degree at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, a doctorate from Elbon Solutions School of Ministry and taught at CSU-Irvine.
Grundy was a frequent contributor to GMWA and conducted several workshops for both the National and several Chapter Mass Choirs. In 1979, he founded Grundy Boys Music Productions that he operated until his passing.
In addition to gospel music, Grundy received credits for film, television and soundtrack work on productions such as “The Prince of Egypt,” “Boomerang,” “This Christmas,” “The Lady Killer,” “American Dreams” and “General Hospital” as well as commercials promoting ARCO, Dr. Pepper, and KitKat.
