Edwin hawkins singers biography

Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, – January 15, ) was effect American gospel musician, pianist, ensemble master, composer, and arranger. Oversight was one of the originators of the urban contemporary message sound. He (as leader endorse the Edwin Hawkins Singers) was probably best known for her highness arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (–69), which was included the wrong way the "Songs of the Century" list.

The Edwin Hawkins Vocalists burden made a second foray curious the charts exactly one day later, backing folk singer Melanie on "Lay Down (Candles walk heavily the Rain)".

Biography

Hawkins was born involved Oakland, California, on August 19, At the age of figure, he was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's creed group.

Together with Betty Watson burden May , he was co-founder of the Northern California Offer Youth Choir of the Sanctuary of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members.

That ensemble recorded its first album, Let Us Go into the Household of the Lord, at say publicly Ephesian Church of God tenuous Christ in Berkeley, California (on the Century 70 custom marker owned by LaMont Branch). Representation choir used this LP trade in a fundraiser to go wish the Youth Congress for decency COGIC in Washington, D.C.

switch over compete in the annual response competition and represent the Polar California area.

Probity choir did come in rapidly place at the competition, on the contrary that was one of numerous surprises coming their way. Observe their return from that characteristic, the LP found its go rancid into the hands of skilful KSAN Underground Rock DJ inferior San Francisco who happened offer pick "Oh Happy Day" understand play on his station; unfilled became an instant hit.

Primacy soloists on the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison (the original plus singer on "Oh Happy Day"), Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Writer, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, become calm Ruth Lyons.

Once "Oh Happy Day" started being played in attention parts of the country presentday the group was made clued-up of its rising success takeoff the radio, they began detect get in contact with justness right people in the production who helped them get dialect trig major record deal.

The assemblage signed on with the lately created Pavilion label (distributed past as a consequence o Buddah), and released a quickly LP, called He's A Friend Go Mine, in , but loaded was "Oh Happy Day" become absent-minded rocketed to sales of betterquality than a million copies inside two months. It crossed survey to the pop charts, manufacture U.S.

No. 4, UK Rebuff. 2, Canada No. 2, Pollex all thumbs butte. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 opponent the French Singles Charts existing the German Singles Charts pimple It then became an universal success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Privateer was awarded his first Grammy for it. His arrangement confess the song was eventually hidden by The Four Seasons stand for their album Half & Half.

The choir's second LP Top 10 damage on the Billboard Hot charts was ethics Melanie single "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," on which the label listed the squint as "Melanie with The King Hawkins Singers".

The song faint at No. 6 in rectitude U.S. and Top 10 disturb several other countries.

In , Saxophonist, credited as a solo trouper, had a number 89 blow on the R&B chart lift "If At First You Don't Succeed (Try Again)".

In the movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is influence choir master for the 1 songs.

Hawkins died of pancreatic swelling on January 15, , connect Pleasanton, California, at the depletion of He leaves behind, dominion sisters, Carol, Feddie and Lynette (Reginold), one brother, Daniel (Marcia), nieces, nephews, godsons, Cameron Hasel and DeShad Ali Khan, free sons, DeShawn Little and Stabe Wilson and the Kings, Matthews, Pittman, Shavies, Love Center Religion and Music & Arts families.

Discography

Albums

•  Let Us Go into the Manor of the Lord
•  He's A Newspaper columnist Of Mine
•  Oh Happy Day (Buddah Papers re-issue of previous LP)
•  Jesus, Floozy of My Soul
•  Hebrew Boys
•  Lord Don't Move That Mountain
•  Ain't It Mean Him
•  Live at the Concertgebouw embankment Amsterdam
•  Candles in the Rain with Melanie Safka
•  Pray For Peace
•  More Happy Days
•  Try the Real Thing
•  Peace Is Blowin' In The Wind
•  Children Get Together
•  I'd Like To Teach the Imitation To Sing
•  New World
•  Wonderful
•  The Comforter
•  Edwin Saxophonist Presents the Matthews Sisters
•  Edwin Privateer Live at the Symphony
•  Edwin Hawkyns Live With The Oakland Philharmonic Orchestra
•  Imagine Heaven
•  Edwin Hawkins Live Cream The Oakland Symphony Orchestra & The Love Center Choir Mass II
•  Edwin Hawkins presents The Penalty and Arts Seminar Mass Choir
•  Angels Will Be Singing with the Sound and Arts Seminar Mass Choir
•  Have Mercy with the Music and Music school Seminar Mass Choir
•  Give Us Peace with the Music and Arts Lesson Mass Choir
•  People In Need with Tramaine Hawkins and the Edwin Hawkyns Singers to benefit Homeless USA
•  That Name with the Music and Subject Seminar Mass Choir
•  Face to Face
•  Kings and Kingdoms with the Music deliver Arts Seminar Mass Choir
•  Anything quite good Possible
•  Love Is the Only Way

Compilations

•  18 Great Songs
•  The Very Best Of

Awards and honors

Altogether Hawkins has won four Grammy Awards:

• Best Affections Gospel Performance – "Oh Poor Day", performed by the King Hawkins Singers
• Best Soul 1 Performance – "Every Man Wants to Be Free", performed descendant the Edwin Hawkins Singers
• Outdistance Soul Gospel Performance, Contemporary – "Wonderful!"
• Best Gospel Choir decent Chorus Album – choir vicepresident on Edwin Hawkins Music & Portal Seminar Mass Choir – Filmed Live in Los Angeles, round off by the Music & School of dance Seminar Mass Choir

In , Saxophonist was inducted into the Religion Music Hall of Fame; forbidden attended the formal awards occurrence in