Music lovers from all over the nation are mourning the loss of Gospel Legend, Pastor, Composer and Grammy Award Winner Bishop Walter Hawkins who passed away on Sunday at the age of 61.
Hawkins, who was battling pancreatic cancer, passed away at his home in Ripon, Calif., his older brother Edwin Hawkins said. "Today, I lost my brother, my pastor, and my best friend," said Edwin Hawkins. "Bishop Hawkins suffered bravely but now he will suffer no more and he will be greatly missed."
We here in the Rocspace office would like to offer our prayers and condolences to the entire Hawkins Family and Love Center Ministries.
Many churches and choirs from all over the world rocked to songs that were written or produced by Hawkins. Some of our favorite songs by Walter Hawkins are: Marvelous (see video below), Try Christ, Changed, Thank You Lord - certainly there are too many to list.
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Born in Oakland, Hawkins studied for his divinity degree at the University of California, Berkeley. While at the university, he recorded his first album titled "Do Your Best" in 1972.
The next year, Hawkins became a pastor and founded the Love Center Church in Oakland, where he also formed a choir.
In the 1980s, Hawkins recorded a number of albums and earned nine Grammy Award nominations, according to friend and family representative, Bill Carpenter. His "The Lord's Prayer" won a Grammy in 1980 and he also performed on the televised Grammy Awards ceremony that year.
In 1990, Hawkins released "Love Alive III" which spent 34 weeks at the top on the Billboard gospel album sales chart, while going on to sell more than a million copies, according to Carpenter. In 1993 his next album, "Love Alive IV," also hit the top spot on the album sales chart. Between work on the two albums, Hawkins was ordained a bishop in October 1992.
At the time of his death, Hawkins was planning a new "Love Alive" CD concert recording for this fall.
Besides his brother Edwin, Hawkins is survived by two children, two grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
The only thing that I can say is what a loss to the industry of gospel music. I am thankful to god for affording me and my choir to meet and open up for such a dynamic legend. There is no one that I can think of that compares to him vocally - what a beautiful voice he had. I am personally deeply sadened by this loss and the Industry shall never be the same without Bishop Walter Hawkins. To the family, keep on singing!
We're praying for you all
Greg Eberhardt & The Inkster Community Choraliers
He was a true Man of God, a role molde and insperation to the Gosple and to music. He will be greatly missed by all, my prayers go out to the Hawkins family may God confort you in the time of our lose...God bless you all
Bishop Walter Hawkins will be greatly missed, but he is now at rest. One of my favorite songs is "Never Alone". Thank you Bishop for writing songs that speak to the heart and soul of people.
Bishop Hawkins,your style and integrity towards the music has left a legacy second to none. I was always in awe of his timeliness of writing songs that definitely fit the time.....And I wanna Say THANK YOU!! for all you done for me and the gospel music industry. You will forever exist through you timeless music. My prayers to the West Coast Family.
It hurt me so bad to hear of the passing of one of "Gospels Trailblazers" gone home to be with the Lord. Bishops music was such an inspiration too many. His songs were and still are encouraging and have soooooo much meaning. He will truly be missed. I pray that God will give the family the strength that they need. Thank you Bishop Walter Hawkins for your legacy!
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Music lovers from all over the nation are mourning the loss of Gospel Legend, Pastor, Composer and Grammy Award Winner Bishop Walter Hawkins who passed away on Sunday at the age of 61.
Gregory Eberhardt makes this comment
13 July 2010
We're praying for you all
Greg Eberhardt & The Inkster Community Choraliers
Yvonne Brooks, MD makes this comment
12 July 2010
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12 July 2010
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12 July 2010
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12 July 2010
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12 July 2010
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12 July 2010