Gospel's Edwin Hawkins Dies

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Edwin Hawkins, Grammy-winning gospel singer and composer known for his crossover hit “Oh Happy Day,” died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Pleasanton, Calif., Jan. 15. He was 74.

Hawkins’ arrangement for “Oh Happy Day” for a Bay Area church choir he co-founded became a hit after area radio stations began playing it. It was eventually released as a single by the Edwin Hawkins Singers and sold a million copies in 1969.

The group backed Melanie on her hit, “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” and won a Grammy for best soul gospel performance for “Oh Happy Day” in 1970.

Hawkins recorded many albums and took home a total of four Grammys, including songs “Wonderful!” and “Every Man Wants To Be Free.” The Oakland native also did some touring with his brother Walter Hawkins, a Grammy winner as well, who died in 2010.