Edwin Hawkins rearranged an 18th Century Hymn called “Oh Happy Day” that debuted in 1968. It was the first gospel song to hit secular charts. This song started the genre of music known as Contemporary Gospel Music. It paved the way for artists like Aretha Franklin, Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, The Clark Sisters, The Winans, and Richard Smallwood.
Black History in Gospel Music Fact – Edwin Hawkins “Oh Happy Day” was originally published on praisedc.com
