"O Happy Day" Reaches #1 A Week After the Death of Edwin Hawkins
A week after the death of four-time Grammy® Award-winning recording artist, Edwin Hawkins, The Edwin Hawkins Singers' 1969 million-seller, "Oh Happy Day," has charted at #1 on Billboard Magazine's Gospel Digital Song Sales chart for the issue week ending January 27, 2018. The classic song had a 999% sales increase following worldwide news coverage of the celebrated artist's passing from cancer last week and it also amassed over 173,000 streams during the same period.
In recent months, Hawkins and his management team had begun to plan activities surrounding the 50th anniversary of "Oh Happy Day" which was recorded in 1968 and then spread to radio airwaves everywhere in the spring of 1969. This coming August, will also mark Mr. Hawkins' 75th birthday. The Hawkins Family will honor the man and his music during a two-day "Celebration of Life" on February 6th and 7th @7 PM each evening at The Harbor Life Church,4760 Thornton Avenue, Fremont, CA 94536. A number of well-known recording artists ranging from Donnie McClurkin and LaShun Pace to Bebe Winans and Chrystal Rucker are confirmed to perform at the event that will also include a special reunion of the original Edwin Hawkins Singers.
There has been an outpouring of condolences from members of the music community, including Neil Portnow, the President and CEO of The Recording Academy. "Edwin Hawkins was a celebrated recording artist recognized as a founder of modern gospel music," he said in a written statement. "He earned 19 GRAMMY nominations between 1969-1996, winning his first award for Best Soul Gospel Performance for 'Oh Happy Day,' the crossover hit that solidified his status as a leading force in gospel music. He earned three more GRAMMY Awards® during his career in the Best Soul Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Album By A Choir Or Chorus categories. Edwin's contributions to the contemporary Christian genre and commitment to music celebrating religious faith will continue to inspire both artists and audiences for years to come. Our thoughts go out to Edwin's family and collaborators during this difficult time."
Tags : edwin hawkins edwin hawkins death o happy day o happy day song edwin hawkins news
Hot Trends
-
New Groundbreaking "JESUS: a Deaf Missions Film" Filmed Entirely in American Sign Language
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Colton Dixon Releases New Summer Single, "UP+UP"
-
Our Top 5 Favorite Versions of "Go Tell It on the Mountain"
-
Tasha Layton on Her Suicide Attempt, Singing with Katy Perry & Working on Her Own Music
-
Mandisa's Offcial Music Video Shares Some Real Overcomers
-
Joseph Habedank Announces New Live Band
-
Joseph Habedank and his Wife Lindsay Announce a Surprise EP "Together"
-
Anna Golden's "Take It to Jesus" Offers Help To Those Who Are Suffering from Depression
-
Chuck Berry, the "Lapsed Baptist," Dies
-
Chad Gentry Brings Back the Legacy of 90s Worship with New Album, Docuseries and Live Events
-
Jimmy Owens, Christian Music Pioneer, Passes Away
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Hannah Hobbs' "Yes He Lives (with Alexander Pappas)"
-
Kathy Troccoli “The Legacy of You” Album Review
Most Popular
-
New Groundbreaking "JESUS: a Deaf Missions Film" Filmed Entirely in American Sign Language
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Colton Dixon Releases New Summer Single, "UP+UP"
-
Our Top 5 Favorite Versions of "Go Tell It on the Mountain"
-
Tasha Layton on Her Suicide Attempt, Singing with Katy Perry & Working on Her Own Music
-
Mandisa's Offcial Music Video Shares Some Real Overcomers
-
Joseph Habedank Announces New Live Band
-
Joseph Habedank and his Wife Lindsay Announce a Surprise EP "Together"
-
Anna Golden's "Take It to Jesus" Offers Help To Those Who Are Suffering from Depression
-
Chuck Berry, the "Lapsed Baptist," Dies
-
Chad Gentry Brings Back the Legacy of 90s Worship with New Album, Docuseries and Live Events
-
Jimmy Owens, Christian Music Pioneer, Passes Away
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Hannah Hobbs' "Yes He Lives (with Alexander Pappas)"
-
Kathy Troccoli “The Legacy of You” Album Review