Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018) was an American gospel musician, pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger. He was born in Oakland, California.

Hawkins (as leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers) was probably best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968–69). The Edwin Hawkins Singers made a second foray into the charts exactly one year later, backing folk singer Melanie on "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)". 

He won four Grammy Awards in 1970, 1971, 1978 and in 1993.

Edwin Hawkins was a Pentecostal.Biography: Edwin Hawkins. Jason Ankeny. All Media Guide. He died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Pleasanton, California at the age of 74.

References

Category:1943 births
Category:2018 deaths
Category:20th-century American composers
Category:21st-century American composers
Category:African-American musicians
Category:African-American singers
Category:American gospel musicians
Category:American gospel singers
Category:American Pentecostals
Category:American pianists
Category:Singers from Oakland, California
Category:Cancer deaths in California
Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer
Category:American Grammy Award winners
Category:Musicians from Oakland, California