The Winans are four brothers from Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
The group comprise of:
Marvin Lawrence Winans (b.5th March 1958, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.)
Carvin Lawrence Winans (b. Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.)
Ronald 'Ron' Winans (b. 30th June 1956, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. d. 17th June 2005, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.)
and
Michael Winans (b. Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.)
The Winans brothers Ronald, Marvin, Carvin, and Michael Winans, all hail from Detroit, where they were born and grew up.
Each are the second, third, fourth and fifth siblings of the larger Winans family.
The brothers were discovered by Andrae Crouch, who signed them to Light Records in the early Eighties.
introducing the winans - 1981
Their debut record, ‘Introducing The Winans’ was released on the Light Records imprint in 1981.
long time comin - 1983 / tomorrow - 1984 / let my people go - 1985 / decisions - 1987
1983 saw the release of ‘Long Time Comin’, which was followed by ’Tomorrow’ in 1984.
In 1985, their appeal to a wider, non secular audience, came with the release of the album ‘Let My People Go’.
The albums title track became a political statement against the apartheid regime in South Africa, whilst becoming hugely popular on the dancefloors.
Throughout the Eighties, the Winans collaborated with the likes of Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Anita Baker and Michael McDonald, the latter artists both appearing on their 1987 album 'Decisions'.
'Decisions' featured Anita Baker on the tune 'Ain't No Need To Worry'.
The Winans later performed vocals in ‘This is America, Charlie Brown’ on the piece ‘The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad’ in 1989.
live at carnegie hall - 1988 / return - 1990 / all out - 1983 / heart and soul - 1995
Their two QWest albums from the start of the Nineties, 'Return' and 'All Out', saw them performing music with a more secular leaning.
'Return' featured the song 'It's Time’, which reached number 5 on the U.S. R&B charts in 1990 (and produced by Teddy Riley).
'Return' climbed to number 12 on the R&B album charts and was certified a gold record.
'All Out' fared less well, however, the guests on the album included R. Kelly, Lalah Hathaway, Kenny Loggins and Ricky Van Shelton.
In 1995 they released the album ‘Heart And Soul', showcasing a return to their gospel material, and featured the late George Duke on production chores.
They have been away from the recording studio since ‘Heart & Soul’.
A best of album was released in 2009.
Albums:
Introducing The Winans (Light Records 1981)
Long Time Comin (Light Records 1983)
Tomorrow (Light Records 1984)
Let My People Go (QWest Records 1985)
Decisions (QWest Records 1987)
Live At Carnegie Hall (QWest Records 1989)
Return (QWest Records 1990)
All Out (QWest Records 1993)
Heart And Soul (QWest Records 1995)
Christmas: Our Gifts to You (Diamante Music Records 2000)
