Guest
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Hawkins studied classical piano as a child and learned guitar in his 20s.[10] His initial goal was to become an opera singer (Hawkins cited Paul Robeson as his musical idol in interviews),[11] but when his initial ambitions failed, he began his career as a conventional blues singer and pianist. He joined the US Army with a forged birth certificate in 1942, and allegedly served in a combat role, with his fellow soldiers and higher-ups around him somehow remaining completely oblivious to the fact he was underage.[12] During this time, he also entertained the troops as part of his service.[13] Hawkins was an avid and formidable boxer during his years on the US Army's boxing circuit. In 1949, he was the middleweight boxing champion of Alaska.[14] In 1951, he joined guitarist Tiny Grimes' band, and was subsequently featured on some of Grimes' recordings.[11] When Hawkins became a solo performer, he often performed in a stylish wardrobe of leopard skins, red le
