Gospel Music Heavyweight Walter Hawkins Dead At 61
Singer-songwriter Walter Hawkins (third from left) was also the pastor at Love Center church in Oakland, Calif. He's seen here performing at the White House in 2008. Mandel Ngan/AFP hide caption
Singer-songwriter Walter Hawkins (third from left) was also the pastor at Love Center church in Oakland, Calif. He's seen here performing at the White House in 2008.
Mandel Ngan/AFPThe gospel music world is mourning the loss of Walter Hawkins. The legendary singer-songwriter and pastor of Love Center church in Oakland, Calif., died Sunday at age 61 after a long bout with cancer. Tell Me More host Michel Martin talks to fellow gospel recording artist Vickie Winans about Hawkins' widespread impact on contemporary gospel music and why his death is viewed as an enormous loss.