Edwin Hawkins (1943 – 2018) was an American gospel musician, pianist, vocalist, choir master, composer and arranger. He was one of the originators of urban contemporary gospel.
As leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers, he is best known for his hit song “Oh Happy Day”. In 1970, he and his Edwin Hawkins Singers made a second foray into the charts backing Woodstock alumnus Melanie Safka on her Woodstock themed hit song “Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)”.
After the success of “Oh Happy Day”, Hawkins and his ensemble signed a record deal with the newly created Pavilion label distributed by Buddah Records, Safka’s former label after she began her own record label, Neighborhood Records.
Hawkins released their second LP, He’s A Friend of Mine, in 1969, but it was “Oh Happy Day” that continued to rocket skyward with sales of more than a million copies within two months.
Oh Happy Day crossed over into the pop charts making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, Canada No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the French Singles Chart as well as in the Netherlands and German Singles Charts too.
Hawkins’ original recording became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, with Hawkins being awarded his first Grammy for his work on the recording.
Oh happy day!