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)".

Edwin Hawkins

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

Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Hawkins was a Pentecostal. He died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Pleasanton, California at the age of 74.

Edwin Hawkins

References

1943 births

2018 deaths

20th-century American composers

21st-century American composers

African American musicians

African-American singers

American gospel musicians

American gospel singers

American Pentecostals

American pianists

Singers from Oakland, California

Cancer deaths in California

Deaths from pancreatic cancer

Grammy Award winners

Musicians from Oakland, California