Edwin Hawkins, a Grammy Award-winning singer best known for crossover hit “Oh Happy Day” has died on Jan. 15 at his home in the Bay area at age 74.
Hawkins was part of a musical family and is considered to be a highly influential figure in modern gospel music. In the 1960s, he and his friend Betty Watson had put together a 46-member music group, the Northern California State Youth Choir and recorded an album, “Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord,” which they intended to use to raise money for a gospel competition, reported the newspaper.
In an unexpected turn of events, radio stations in the San Francisco Bay area began playing one of the album’s eight tracks, “Oh, Happy Day,” which was arranged by Hawkins. The catchy song spread and was eventually released as a single making its way to No. 4 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 2 on the R&B chart. The music group was also renamed the Edwin Hawkins Singers.
Hawkins is one of eight children and was born on Aug. 19, 1943, in Oakland California. He was raised in the Campbell Village projects.
“He discovered music early and began playing the keyboards in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination at the age of five,” the statement reads.
“He was a humble and kind spirit that not only encouraged others who were privileged to meet him, but also inspired millions to be daring in their creativity,” Smallwood said.
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