Ripon, CA - Walter Hawkins, the Grammy Award-winning gospel singer/composer and pastor of Oakland’s Love Center Church, died July 11th at his home in Ripon. For the last two years, Hawkins has been battling pancreatic cancer. He was 61 years old.
“Today, I lost my brother, my pastor, and my best friend,” said Hawkins’ brother, Edwin Hawkins. “Bishop Hawkins suffered bravely but now he will suffer no more and he will be greatly missed.”
During the 1970s, Walter Hawkins personified a new wave of gospel artists such as his brother Edwin Hawkins of “Oh Happy Day” fame, and Andrae Crouch, who brought a youthful contemporary vibe to gospel music. Hawkins cut a series of best-selling “Love Alive” LPs that remain gospel classics to this day. Hawkins’ songs have been recorded by a who’s who in music ranging from Aretha Franklin and “American Idol” champ Ruben Studdard to Vickie Winans and M.C. Hammer.
“The impact that Walter Hawkins had on gospel music was so profound and far-reaching that it is now, and forever shall be, part of gospel's DNA,” says gospel music historian, Bob Marovich, who edits The Black Gospel Blog.
Homegoing Celebrations for Bishop Walter L. Hawkins is as follow:
*Musical -- Tuesday, July 20th at 7:30pm
*Homegoing Service -- Wednesday, July 21st at 11:00am
BOTH services will be held at:
Paramount Theatre
2025 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612-2303
*We are requesting everyone to wear "CREAM" for Wednesday Morning Service!
Please refer to Love Center Ministries, Inc. website for up-to-date information on Bishop Hawkins Homegoing Services. www.lovecenter.org
(Photo by Robert Shanklin _Teddi Payton)