Rocker Ronnie 'Hawk' Hawkins dies at 87

Ronnie and Wanda Hawkins arrive for the Canadian Music Industry Awards in Toronto, Thursday, March 8, 2007. Photo: AP

Ronnie Hawkins, the Southern rockabilly singer who helped shape and launch the Band and other Canadian rock artistes, died Sunday (May 29) after battling a long-term illness. He was 87.

Hawkins' death was confirmed to The Canadian Press by his wife, Wanda: "He went peacefully and he looked as handsome as ever."