Bishop Walter Hawkins

The word legend is thrown around so much that it’s lost luster. Yet, legend is what best describes the career of Bishop Walter Hawkins, who died of pancreatic cancer July 11.

Hawkins, best known for his work with the Love Center Choir, from his church of the same name, was one of gospel music’s most prolific songwriters. A nine-time Grammy nominee, Hawkins helped reshape the sound of gospel.

Much of that shaping has to do with Hawkins penchant for songs that touch and inspire or relate to specific life situations. “Try Christ,” “I’m Going Through,” “I’m Going Away” “Thank You”  “Going Up Yonder,” “Be Grateful” and “I Love You Lord” are but a sample of his unique style.

Walter was as accomplished as a singer as he was a writer and producer. His voice was exceptionally expressive, falling between a first tenor and an alto. He was able to soar into the upper reaches of a register, sending chills and tingles.

Born in 1949 in the Bay Area, Hawkins got his start with older brother Edwin by helping to put together an album to raise money to send a church choir to a convention. The LP was going to be sold locally, but a single – “Oh Happy Day” – became a national sensation, eventually selling 1 million copies. This was the start of the Edwin Hawkins Singers and the launch of Walter’s gospel career.

Walter left his brother’s group in the early ‘70s, concentrating on becoming a minister. He studied divinity at  University of California at Berkley and formed the Love Center Church. Hawkins decided to record the church choir in a concert that featured his siblings – Feddie, Daniel, Edwin and Lynette – and wife Tramaine.

Andrae Crouch heard the recording and took it to executives at Light Records and the “Love Alive” series was born. The album featured what would become standards in today’s black church. The somber, yet irresistible “Changed” and the joyous “Going Up Yonder” are among the most memorable gospel songs of last century. The album spent months at the top of Billboard’s Gospel Music chart, selling more than 300,000 copies, earning accolades and nominations.

“Love Alive II” was even more popular, selling nearly 300,000 copies, unusual for gospel LPs of the day. “Be Grateful” was released as a12-inch single, usually reserved for disco songs. This CD topped Billboard’s Gospel chart as well, earning the Love Center Choir more accolades.

“Love Alive, III” broke the 1 million mark in sales, and featured the searing “I Love You, Lord,” a duet with Yvette Flunder. “Love Alive IV” topped the Billboard chart for 39 weeks, earning a Grammy nomination for “Thank You,” which was also sung by Flunder.

Hawkins produced and wrote much of those releases. “Love Alive IV” found him working with soon-to-be legend Donald Lawrence. In turn, Hawkins made a guest appearance on Lawrence’s “Go Get Your Life Back” CD, which was recorded at University Park Baptist Church in Charlotte.

Hawkins also produced several releases for his wife Tramaine and one for his sister Lynette. Hawkins also recorded with “The Family” which included siblings and Tramaine. The family’s “Jesus Christ Is The Way” was Hawkins’s most contemporary outing, mixing jazz, R&B and middle of the road pop with excellent results.

The title song is a staple among many churches.  On “The Hawkins Family Live,” Earth, Wind & Fire members Maurice White and Philip Bailey made guest appearances.

Hawkins also worked with disco singer Sylvester, Van Morrison, War’s Lee Oskar Jeffrey Osborne and again with EF&W on its “Touch The World” LP.

Walter Hawkins also has two children – a son Jamie and daughter Trystan – and two grandchildren. He was ordained a bishop in 1992. He won three Dove Awards and a Grammy in 1981 as part of an ensemble singing “The Lord’s Prayer.”

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