American rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins died on Sunday at the age of 87. He had been ill for some time. Hawkins became known not only for his own music, but also for bringing The Band together.
Hawkins’ wife told the Canadian press that he “passed away peacefully”. She told the Ottawa Sun, “He looked as handsome as ever.”
Hawkins began his career in the southern United States, but was particularly successful in the 1960s in Canada. He did so with a style of music that came to be known as rockabilly. He scored hits like Who do you love? and Hey Bo Diddley and acquired a major influence within the Canadian music industry.
In the 1960s, Hawkins put together a backing band to perform with. After Hawkins left, Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko formed The Band. Hawkins was like a mentor to the band members and was seen by them as the one who had shaped them musically.
The Band went on to accompany Bob Dylan and became one of the most admired and influential bands in the world.
