Walter Hawkins, Grammy-winning gospel singer, dies at 61

Walter Hawkins, one of the voices behind the 1967 hit "Oh Happy Day," has passed away. Hawkins succumbed to a long battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday at his home in California, his brother Edwin -- also a Grammy winner -- tells the Associated Press.

"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."

The two performed together as the Edwin Brothers in the 1960s and enjoyed crossover success with "Oh Happy Day," one of the first Gospel songs to cross into the mainstream charts. Not only did the song win a Grammy; it was also named one of the RIAA's Songs of the Century.

Hawkins received his divinity degree at UCLA, studying while releasing solo albums. In 1973 he became a pastor, founding the Love Center Church in Oakland. Never far from music, Hawkins was very involved in the Love Center Choir. The Love Center Choir's music, released as "Love Alive" compilations, topped gospel charts from the 1970s to the 1990s.\

Hawkins, who was nominated for nine Grammy Awards over his career but only won once, died while working on his next "Love Alive" record. He will be missed.