Edwin Hawkins

American singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and choir master.
One of the cornerstones of modern gospel music he is credited with being the bridge between old-school and contemporary gospel.
Born 18 August 1943 in Oakland, California, USA.
Died January 15, 2018 in Pleasanton, California, USA.
One of six children, he grew up in the Campbell Village projects, where his parents, Mamie and Dan Lee Hawkins, encouraged his musical skills at an early age.
He began playing piano by age five and when he was seven took over the keyboards for his family's vocal group.
Best known for his 1969 hit song "Oh Happy Day" (with the Edwin Hawkins Singers), one of first gospel songs to achieve mainstream success.
Edwin Hawkins was a brother of Walter Hawkins.
Hawkins and Betty Watson founded the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Ephesians Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in May of 1967, which included almost fifty members. The group was split in 1969 after the success of "Oh Happy Day", with Hawkins group becoming the Edwin Hawkins Singers and Watson and another soloist organizing a new group, taking the original name.