L C Tyson

[nella271]

One of a few organist that could make you not believe what you were hearing. I was blessed to know him personally and experience the late Bishop William Abbney and Craig Tyson at Bethel P.C. of Grand Rapids. A church that also produced the Debarge family, Dr. Marvin Sapp, Debra Perry, and others.

[TheFirecogicuk]

I guess this is why is youger brother Bishop Shawn Tyson can play!

[Musician562003]

I commented on Craig about 2 years ago. I am Stan The Man with the Gospel Medley. Guys, Craig and I would talk about other great musicians such as L.G. Scott and of course his friend Timothy Carpenter. As I stated before, Craig was one of God's best musicians. I am not here to put anyone down, but all I have to say is that Craig's playing speaks for itself. I have played with some of the best Hammond organists (jazz and gospel) who were legends, but Craig was one indeed. We love you Craig!

[yamaho5]

I hate to say it, but a woman, Twinkie Clark puts us all in the shade with her tasteful but exciting playing. Brava Twinkie.

[kotrt3]

aaaaaaaaaaaaamen

[pastordad40]

This is MY friend ...Tim Carpenter

[bigwm]

This is the very first time I've come across this brother. WOW! A great mix of classical and gospel playing! Par excellence!

[nvjharmonica]

nvjharmonica Does anybody remember Gospel Organist Alfred Bolden he was an awesome organist also

[theon2008]

My grandma has a record of Alfred and I have listen to it many times! Yeah he is good! Thanks for this clip of Craig, never got to meet him but I have learned so much from his playing. Please post more!

[yamaho5]

Alfred Bolden was the alpha and omega of gospel hammond playing, until Twinkie came along and I ain't been the same since. I wish someone would put some of his music here.

[mrprettytony80]

@yamaho5 Guess you've never heard of Rev. Charles Nicks, Rudolph Stanfield, Min. Thomas Anthony Whitfield, Darryl Houston, Derrick Jackson (of Memphis, TN) just to name a few. Bolden & Twinke were/are great, but i can't agree w/the statement that organ playing has been the same since.

[apostlic200]

How Did He Die

[ebufford]

Problems with Diabetes

[minstrelmom]

Minister Lawrence Craig Tyson the first and last word on the Organ. Pride comes to mind when thinking of him and the laughs we all shared at Calvary growing up. Thank you for remembering my friend. How special is it that my son has grown up to play the keys, like my childhood friend. He would have been proud. Much Love to Chelsea and children of one of the greatest in gospel music history. This Minister of Music is not finished. God has a way of completing what HE started in us.

[lavoriadreese]

I really miss Craig, he taught my brother Norman to play. Awesome musicans...gone RIP I love you both

[propheticmusic]

STANDING OVATION!!

[dionne2004]

He was so anointed..and we all miss him dearly!!!

[1joker88]

what happened to this great organist? How did he die?

[dionne2004]

I dont know...he just got real sick!!!

[itzme1800]

Well that brought back a lot of memories from being at Christ Church Apostolic with Craig Tyson.  He is truly missed.

[diversiorgan]

Great Gospel Organ player... May he RIP.

[PSPGENIUS714]

Amen. This is one---no, THE BEST organ solo I have ever heard, IN MY LIFE. RIP.

[timstrel1]

This is what I grew up on!! This man was one of the greatest ever!!! RIP Craig Tyson!!!!

[ryanofficer]

Growing up being able to hear his every sunday was a treat that I am only now able to appreciate (I was young then). I am still saddened when I think that my brother has gone on...but I am overjoyed be the life God lead him thru.

GooD

[Arbed225]

I also am new to hearing about Craig Tyson. He was an awesome player. Thank you for posting and sharing.

[dharivonwilliams]

PLay Big Cuz...Will always miss u and love u and remember the times that we had convention.

Drae

ST. Louis

[devangelique]

The reason why it sounds "weird" to some people is because he is CLASSICALLY trained mixed with the ANOINTING!!!.... But no one beats TWINKIE CLARK in her younger years!!!

[mlee464]

devangelique, I am a HUGE fan of Twinkie Clark. I got a lot of my style from her.  However, I can thank of THREE organists of the top of my head who Twinkie would HAVE TO get up for if they walked in. Hubert Powell, Craig Tyson, and Binky Flowers from Ohio...Twinkie's my musical Momma....But there were and still are some AWESOME brothers out there that she would have to just wait her turn for.

[ebufford]

Where is Binky at now? Is he the same as John Flowers? Don't forget the name Gary Lewis! He was the original bad organist who played for Bishop Jakes! That boy was and still is off the chain. He reads/plays by ear all the same! Back in those days with Bis. Jakes your musical ear would be watching him as well as Jakes. He would end up standing up on the organ jamming his behind off! lol He was with Jakes in Vir. He lives in Ohio with his music school. Played for Peggy Lacey's CD too! -Bad Boy!

[mlee464]

Yo EB, wazzup man..Binky is John Flowers, same dude. He's still in Columbus. I saw him back in January at the NAMM show. He's still hot as fire. Now, I may get in trouble for this, but I DO NOT like Gary Lewis. Showmanshhip...he came to Tulsa one year showin' off at a Mid0 Winter when Jakes was preachin' and me and Craig ATE HIS BUTT FOR DINNER at the after hour concert. Craig looked at me and said, "Mike, we gone put somethin' on his mind." And that was all she wrote...LOL.

[ncleron]

he's good but it sounds weird to me for some reason, his style is unusual

[pastordad40]

A TRUE organist. I wish you guys would have been there at the beginning to see what it took to get here...There are NO "shortcuts". Thank you for posting this video...are there any more of him?

Pastor Timothy Carpenter

[ebufford]

Pastor Tim I am going to post a few audios of 'with these hands' album on here so the young musicians can really hear what songs sounded like with God's anointing. You and Craig are still the pillars of piano and Hammond organ gospel music! Send me a good pic/s of you so I can flash them as they listen. -any others pics you have-Craig, Gary, Dr. Scott, group shots that played on that album also would be appreciated. -Thanks

[aonpi]

thank you brother!i'm from Muskegon Heights,Mi and as I child I attended Christ Temple late Bishop William Burrell.I played drums with Craigand the DeBarge Brothers at Bishop Abney church in Grand Rapids,Mi.I live in VA at this time ,but this did my heart good!Big up Vanuel!!!Big Moe

[jlove1982000]

It is good to know that you Pastor Shawn Tyson will never let the awesome music of your brother go without great recognition it deserves. You have inspied me as well for all the years I hung with you, drove for you, and all the times you shared your family with me it was a blessing.

Love you Doc

Joe Morst IV

[tlberger]

i remember craig when i was a kid. didn't know he passed. i was really close to his grandmother as a child.

He will be missed. i remember all of mt. calvary's greatest. craig, bro arnold, and timothy. all the great organists from ohio.

[PAWKID4LYFE]

Boy oh boy. Craig and Evag. Tyson make the same faces when they play. Jesus certainly broke the mold with Bro. Craig. There's just NO ONE like him.

[jpookie101]

the greatest organist to ever play! WOW! I miss u dad! im going to play just like u one day! ill see u soon.

[tbone51piano]

I've never heard of this brother but my God...can he play.I am a church organist in New York and I am truly inspired by this great and awesome ministry. May his spirit live on thru his gift.

[BigRayBonz]

This Brother is awesome. Does anyone know how he died. I bet he's in heaven giving the Archangel a run for his money.

[JohnW5207]

I believe he had a bout with diabetes.

[Musician562003]

I have seen many great organists. Criag was one of my closest friend. I used to travel to Indianapolis to get some pointers from Craig. He was always amazing on the Hammond organ. Craig was one of God's best musician. I really miss Craig, but I know that brother is happy as never before, because he is with the Lord. Craig we all love you and will see you on the other side. Enjoy your new life my brother!

[najadan]

I remember when I was a child & would be awe struck by Craig's playing. He would be on the organ & Tim Carpenter would be on the piano at the PAW conventions. I'm glad I found this video.

[RevCST]

You are watching and listening to the greatest gospel organist of the 20th century. He is often immitated [by me included, lol} but he will never be duplicated. Rest in peace bro. I miss you terribly.

Shawn Tyson

[JohnW5207]

Shawn, Praise the Lord Bro. You have now graduated to the post your brother once held in my book. Your brother prepared you to carry the baton and you have the same gift he once possessed, it is evident. I believe just like Bishop David Ellis passed on to his son that which he left behind (spiritually), your elder brother did the same with you. God Bless you Bro.

[Raashid06]

is he at all related to the moses tyson

[musa34]

an organist personified!

[mcmiraclevalley]

Rev. Tyson was a master. Very gifted and anointed.

Rev. Michael Capps, D.D., Th.D, Ph.D

Bishop

[revmiltonb]

I doubt there be soon be another like our beloved brother Craig. His impact is heard in music today all over America. I'm glad to have this video clip to remember him by.

[ebufford]

I must say tha his younger brother Elder. Shawn Tyson is on his heals in Hammond organ talent. The boy can preach a civic center into a Holy Ghost explosion and is bad on the organ like his brother was! -But Craig was my king of the black gospel Hammond organ. The boy could jam on you and turn around and do a anthem on you just as well! -Ezra Bufford

[Bartsing]

I remember some years ago, Min. Craig Tyson came down to Dallas, TX, and did a grand workshop/musical at our church. We were very small at the time, but he did not spare us at all. He was such a blessing. I had the pleasure of leading one of the songs which we yet sing today. I am so glad tobe one of those who was blessed by his outstanding ministry. I can even recall him just sitting on the organ stumping the mess out of it. he would just close his eyes and have church all by himself.

[313mildone]

Elder Craig Tyson was truly an inspiration to me as a young organist. He was the Min. of Music for the PAW Michigan State Choir. He had a spirit of excellence. He will be greatly missed but we know where he is.

[Rawbiznes]

BEAST!!!

[SkinnerBlues]

Truly amazing and so talented! Beautiful!!

[caddyorganist]

Wow!!!

[lordcryor]

Craig was the best organist out there in my opinion. Not only for his skills, but he also had an Awesome personality. I use to sing in the Penticostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) Michigan State Choir back in the late 80's and early 90's. He always expected nothing but excellence from you, and would keep you at a night rehersal until he got it! :)

[lordcryor]

I would love to see some old Bethal Penticostal videos or some old P.A.W. Michigan State Choir Videos for the late 80's-90's if anyone has them please upload them. Peace and God Bless!

[chrisgross74]

Craig Tyson is truly a Legend!

[ividrum]

L. Craig - U were like another father to me! I miss U! Thanx for schooling me! Love...Derico D. Watson

[ebufford]

I will always miss this great 'DOWN TO EARTH' brother!!! He played for great names even Bishop T. D. Jakes. He never at one time had a big head! Humble and loved young people, inspiring them to play better and live for God better. I loved the organ greats, He was my only local great organ idol! The boy could play his but off any time any where all by ear! Craig Tyson will be missed! -Diabetes can take a long toll on your body my friends-please be careful with yourselves!

[Emoyea]

Craig Tysonwas truly a blessing & musical influence to many here in San Diego. Till we meet again.

[broaddusmarines]

Rest in peace, Craig. You were the best and you are missed already.