Walter Hawkins

Grammy award winner Walter Hawkins was the brother of the famed Edwin Hawkins--Oh Happy Day. Born in Oakland, California, Walter grew up in the Bay Area with seven siblings. He and his brother Edwin were a natural on the keyboards and it wasn't long before their talents became publicly known. Walter was a part of his brother Edwin's choir, The Northern California State Youth Choir; later known as the Edwin Hawkins Singers, which produced the album Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, featuring the hit, Oh Happy Day. Walter made his personal debut in 1972 with an album entitled, Do Your Best. But it wasn't until 1975 when he put out the LOVE ALIVE album featuring the Love Center Choir, that he began to achieve fame. The album was noted for such hit songs as Goin' Up Yonder and Changed. He would go on to produce more albums and CD's using the title Love Alive II (1978), Love Alive III(1983), Love Alive IV (1990), and Love Alive V (1997). From these recordings came popular tunes like, I Love You Lord, A War Goin' On, Thank You Lord, Marvelous, and It's Right and Good. Love Alive III sold over a million copies and Love Alive IV was on top of the charts for 39 weeks. In addition to these musical treasures, Walter produced singular albums for his wife Tramaine, his sister Lynette, and his cousin Shirley Miller. Other special productions of his were Walter Hawkins and the Family (1977) featuring Jesus Christ is the Way, The Hawkins Family Anniversary album, which featured celebrity guests Maurice White and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind, and Fire. Walter married Tramaine Davis in 1970 but eventually divorced. From this union two children were born--Walter, Jr. and a daughter Trystan. Walter has two grandchildren. Apparently a hard worker: pastor, song writer, musician, husband, and father, he faced an untimely death July 11, 2010 after a lengthy illness, which was basically kept secret to his fans. A legend in his time, he will be greatly missed.