Edwin Hawkins' use of contemporary sounds, a Latin groove, synthesizers and a soul-influenced lead vocal performance created a new model for gospel music.

Edwin Hawkins, a Grammy Award-winning singer who merged gospel and secular sounds in a career highlighted by the accidental crossover hit “Oh Happy Day” in 1969, died on Monday in Pleasanton ...

Edwin Hawkins, the gospel star best known for the crossover hit “Oh Happy Day” and as a major force for contemporary inspirational music, died Monday at age 74.

Edwin Hawkins' "Oh Happy Day" was an accidental hit. The song, a gospel-style rework of an 18th century hymn, starts with a jazzy drum beat and a kind of blues pop piano groove.

DALLAS — In this weeks Black History Month High Notes Series we recognize the creator of "Oh Happy Day" Edwin Hawkins, a keyboardist and 4-time-Grammy winner ...

Edwin Hawkins, a Grammy Award-winning singer who merged gospel and secular sounds in a career highlighted by the accidental crossover hit “Oh Happy Day” in 1969, died on Monday in Pleasanton ...