10 notable Christian deaths of 2018

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Saturday, December 15, 2018

Edwin Hawkins – Jan. 15, 2018

Edwin Hawkins, the multi Grammy Award-winning gospel music mind behind such famous songs as "Oh, Happy Day," died at age 74.

A native of Oakland, California, Hawkins was raised with a musical background, having performed with family and church groups throughout his life.

Along with Betty Watson, Hawkins founded the Northern California State Youth Choir, which in 1968 recorded the influential album "Let Us Go into the House of the Lord," which included the hit song "Oh Happy Day."

Fred Willis, editor-in-chief of Signature Radio and News, referred to Hawkins as “the father of contemporary gospel.”

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