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Walter Hawkins

July 12, 2010 by · Comments Off on Walter Hawkins 

Walter HawkinsWalter Hawkins:Famed gospel singer Bishop Walter Hawkins died today after a long battle with cancer early. For over 40 years has had a distinguished career writing and singing some of the most beloved songs of gospel music. Early in his career he accompanied his brother, Edwin Hawkins, as a member of The Edwin Hawkins Singers. While with the group he helped produced the song, “Oh Happy Day” which became one of the first gospel songs crossing mainstream music charts.

In the 1970s Walter Hawkins left the group to establish the Love Center Church in Oakland, California. He and his Love Center Choir had considerable success with their love alive series, which collectively sold over a million copies of the 70s through the 90s.

The song I remember most is “Thank You”, which he always used to sing when he went to an annual visit to my old church (Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church) in Cincinnati in the late 90’s.

Walter Hawkins will be missed in the gospel industry, but his music will live. What is your favorite Walter Hawkins song or memory?

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