Rick Elias, Founding Member of Rich Mullins' A Ragamuffin Band, Dies
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, producer and Ragamuffin Rick Elias passed away April 2, 2019 in Nashville after a several month long battle with brain cancer. Rick Elias had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer.
"Today, Rick Elias lost his battle with cancer but won life everlasting as a child of God. Our hearts are heavy but also filled to the brim with memories of our dear friend. Each of us benefited by the light that Rick shone through the cracks of our own lives and for that we will be forever grateful. Pray for Linda and the entire family as they grieve the loss of a husband and father. Rick was an artist and a man of faith."
In 1990, Elias signed to Alarma Records, which released his Christian rock album as Rick Elias and the Confessions, a band which also included Intravaia and Sale. Their single "Confession of Love" peaked at number four on the national Christian Top 40 chart as published in Contemporary Christian Music magazine.
From 1993 to 2002, Elias was a founding member of Rich Mullins' A Ragamuffin Band. The band continued to record and tour with Mullins, and even carried on after his 1997 death. The group's name is derived from Brennan Manning's 1990 book The Ragamuffin Gospel, which defines ragamuffins as "the burdened, the wobbly and weak-kneed, the inconsistent, unsteady disciples... the smart people who know they are stupid... the honest disciples who admit they are scalawags".
Elias later wrote songs for the Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do (in which he appeared as a player in the Playtone Orchestra), as well as for Dawson's Creekand My Big Fat Greek Wedding. He released several contemporary Christian CDs on his own and as a founding member of the Ragamuffins band, formed by the late Rich Mullins in the early '90s and extant from 1993 to 2002.
In the studio, Elias also produced records by artists such as Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Aaron Neville, as well as writing two songs for Bob Carlisle's chart topping album Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace).
Tags : rick elias rick elias death rick elias dies rich mullins ragamuffin band
Hot Trends
-
Here Are Lyrics to Tauren Wells' "Making Room"
-
Brandon Lake & His Wife Are Expecting Their Third Child
-
David Baloche on Growing Up with His Dad Paul Baloche, His New Album & the Power of Scripture
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Vineyard Worship Releases “Whatever’s In Your Heart” From Dreaming The Impossible
-
7 Things We Know About Elevation Worship and Maverick City's "Old Church Basement"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to We the Kingdom's "Let It Be Jesus"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Spencer Kane Drops New Music Video
-
Story Behind Darlene Zschech's "Your Eyes"
-
Meredith Andrews "Heaven’s Frequency" Album Review
-
David & Nicole Binion Talk About Leaving Covenant Worship & the Creation of "Dwell"
-
Paul Wilbur “Roar from Zion” Album Review
-
Getting to Know Hawaiian Singer-Songwriter Ron Artis II & His New Song "Chosen"
-
Jonathan Evans, Son of Dr. Tony Evans & Former NFL Fullback, Releases New Album
Most Popular
-
Here Are Lyrics to Tauren Wells' "Making Room"
-
Brandon Lake & His Wife Are Expecting Their Third Child
-
David Baloche on Growing Up with His Dad Paul Baloche, His New Album & the Power of Scripture
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Vineyard Worship Releases “Whatever’s In Your Heart” From Dreaming The Impossible
-
7 Things We Know About Elevation Worship and Maverick City's "Old Church Basement"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to We the Kingdom's "Let It Be Jesus"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Spencer Kane Drops New Music Video
-
Story Behind Darlene Zschech's "Your Eyes"
-
Meredith Andrews "Heaven’s Frequency" Album Review
-
David & Nicole Binion Talk About Leaving Covenant Worship & the Creation of "Dwell"
-
Paul Wilbur “Roar from Zion” Album Review
-
Getting to Know Hawaiian Singer-Songwriter Ron Artis II & His New Song "Chosen"
-
Jonathan Evans, Son of Dr. Tony Evans & Former NFL Fullback, Releases New Album