Legendary Musician Edwin Hawkins Has Passed Away

Born in California in 1943, Hawkins was one of the most renowned American gospel musicians.
He had many strings to his bow: pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger who was one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound.
Hawkins died of pancreatic cancer on 15 January 2018 in Pleasanton, California.
'Oh Happy Day', which was a gospel music arrangement of an 18th-century hymn, was recorded by Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1967.
It became an international hit in 1969, reaching No. 4 on the US Singles Chart, No. 1 in France, Germany and the Netherlands and No. 2 on both the UK singles chart and Irish Singles Chart. It has since become a gospel music standard.
"Oh Happy Day" was included in the Songs of the Century list.
The Edwin Hawkins Singers hit the charts exactly one year later, backing folk singer Melanie on "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)".