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Edwin Hawkins

American singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and choir master. Born 18 August 1943 in Oakland, California, USA. Died January 15, 2018 in Pleasanton, California, USA. Best known for his 1969 hit song "Oh Happy Day" (with the [a=Edwin Hawkins Singers]), one of first gospel songs to achieve mainstream success. Edwin Hawkins was a brother of [a=Walter Hawkins]. Hawkins and [a810118] founded the [a3520561] of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in May of 1967, which included almost fifty members. The group was split in 1969 after the success of "Oh Happy Day", with Hawkins group becoming the [a254601] and Watson and another soloist organizing a new group, taking the original name.