The composer, keyboardist, and choir arranger was found dead in his home in Pleasanton, California on Monday.

He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer, his publicist told the Associated Press.

Hawkins was a major force in contemporary inspirational music.

He was considered the founder of modern Gospel music along with other music legends like Andrae Crouch and James Cleveland.

"Oh, Happy Day" was a top 10 hit on the pop charts skyrocketing the Edwin Hawkins Singers to international fame.

Click here to listen to the Hawkins' original recording of "Oh Happy Day."

The song became a million-seller in 1969 and became a crossover hit with singers like Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis, and Glen Campbell singing their own versions of the tune. (Image: A young Edwin Hawkins and the Edwin Hawkins Singers/via YouTube)

"I think our music was probably a blend and a crossover of everything that I was hearing during that time," Hawkins told blackmusic.com in 2015. "We grew up hearing all kinds of music in our home. My mother, who was a devout Christian, loved the Lord and displayed that in her lifestyle."

"My father was not a committed Christian at that time but was what you'd call a good man," he said. "And, of course, we heard from him some R&B music but also a lot of Country and Western when we were younger kids."

Hawkins went on to make dozens of records and won four Grammys in his lifetime.

In 2007, he was voted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Christian Artist Stuns Music World at 14 Years Old, Uses His Gifts to Glorify Christ

Arkansas Officer Tragically Dies Saving Fiancée's Life Just Hours after Proposing

Texas Meteorologist Speaks Out after Viral Prayer: 'The Spirit of God Came Over Me'

What You May Not Know about the Now Viral WNBA Guard, Sophie Cunningham

Religious Groups Seek Exemption from NY Assisted Suicide Law that Could Mean Jail Time for Nuns

Jim Jordan Refers Jack Smith for DOJ Criminal Investigation, Alleges He Misled Congress

The US House Bans Insider Trading and Passes Voter ID

Ancient Beams Offer New Evidence of the First Temple's Destruction

New Visa Restrictions Target Left-Wing Terrorists and Extremists

Trump Ramps up Military Pressure on Iran's Regime, Targeting Area Near Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site

Epic Fail: Mamdani Finally Makes Humiliating Admission About His Threat to Arrest Netanyahu

How China Made and Shipped Fake Driver's Licenses to Tamper With the 2020 Election

Andy Biggs Dominates Arizona Race

DSA Unveils Platform Calling for Abolishing the Senate, Presidency, and Supreme Court

6,600 Non-Citizens Registered to Vote in NJ Due to 'Software Error,' Dem Gov. Sherrill Admits

Justin Bieber Used the Biggest Stage Ever to Worship God with 'Everything Hallelujah' at World Cup Final

Trump Education Department Defends Homeschool Parents from Hateful, Woke Podcasters

House Committee Approves Bill Allowing Victims of 'Trans' Drugs, Surgeries to Sue

Major Teachers Union That Funds Democrats Endorses 'Gender-Affirming Care' Amid Backlash to Transgender 'Medicine'

Oregon's Troubling Transgender Story; Why Are They Pumping Minors Full of Puberty Blockers?