Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Reuben Hawkins (born August 18, 1943, Oakland, California) is an American gospel musician, pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger. He is one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He (as leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers) is probably best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968–69), which was included on the Songs of the Century list. 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)".

Biography

At the age of seven Hawkins was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's gospel choir. Together with Betty Watson, he was the co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members. This ensemble recorded its first album Let Us Go into the House of the Lord at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California privately (on the Century 70 custom label), hoping to sell 500 copies. "Oh Happy Day" was just one of the eight songs on the album. (The soloists in the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison, Tramaine Davis, Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.)

Read more
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Edwin_Hawkins

Podcasts:

Edwin Hawkins

ALBUMS

Jesus Is The Answer: Greatest Gospel Performances

Released 2005

American Roots Music: Highlights

Released 2001

American Roots Music

Released 2001

Special Party Hits

Released 1999

Hot Tracks 15th Anniversary Collectors Edition

Released 1997

The Soul of Christmas

Released 1996

Oh Happy Day Reunion

Hits of the Sixties

Email this Page Play all in Full Screen Show More Related Videos
PLAYLIST TIME:

I Found The Answer

by: Edwin Hawkins

Verse 1
I was weak and weary, I had gone astray,
walking in the darkness, I couldn't find my way.
Then a light came shining to lead me from despair,
all my sins forgiven, and I was free from care.
Chorus
I found the answer, I learned to pray,
*with faith to guide me, I found the way.
The sun is shining for me each day,
I found the answer, I learned to pray.
Verse 2
I was sad and lonely, all my hopes were gone,
days were long and dreary, I couldn't carry on.
Then I found the courage to keep my head up high,
once again I'm happy, and here's the reason why.
Chorus
Verse 3
Keep your Bible with you, read it every day,
always count your blessings and always stop to pray.
Learn to keep believing and faith will see you thro',
seek to know contentment, and it will come to you.
Chorus
* additional note




Latest News for: edwin hawkins singers

Edit

Something I Need

Quillette 19 Mar 2025
... singer Bobbie Gentry (“Ode to Billie Joe”) in 1967 ... For evidence of that tremendous vocal, check out her 1970 Dutch TV performance of “Lay Down,” the US #6 she recorded with the Edwin Hawkins Singers..
Edit

Here’s every song used in ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ so far

NME 13 Mar 2025
Danny McBride’s black comedy series The Righteous Gemstones concludes with its fourth season this year ... Who composed the soundtrack for The Righteous Gemstones? ... ‘Stand On The Word’ – Joubert Singers ... The Edwin Hawkins Singers ... .
  • 1

Article Search

tools
×
×
×
×