Ronald "Ronnie" Cornett "The Hawk" Hawkins was born in Huntsville, Madison County, Arkansas, on January 10, 1935.
Hawkins attended the University of Arkansas as a physical education major. He served in the army briefly before concentrating on his music career.
Hawkins started his band, The Hawks, in Fayetteville where he owned the famous Rockwood Club and other venues. He moved to Ontario, Canada, and landed his first record deal with Roulette Records in 1959. His early recordings included “Mary Lou” and “Forty Days.” Hawkins toured a circuit between the US and Canada, discovering and cultivating other noted musicians that eventually gave birth to The Band, one of the most highly regarded and influential bands in rock and roll history. One of the original rockabilly musicians, Hawkins was awarded the Special Achievement Award from SOCAN in 2007.
Hawkins passed away on May 29, 2022.
This interview contains adult language that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
#1: Composite image of early photo of Ronnie Hawkins and still frame from Pryor Center video interview
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Ronnie Hawkins's grandparents, Rachel and Billy Hawkins
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Ronnie Hawkins's grandmother, Rachel Hawkins, with his aunt, Mary Haskins
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: Ronnie Hawkins's grandmother, Rachel Hawkins, with his aunt, Mary Haskins
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: Ronnie Hawkins's cousins, Marvin Haskins (far left) and Dorlas Haskins (far right); Montana
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: From left: Ronnie Hawkins's grandparents, Rachel and Billy Hawkins, with Marion Haskins, Mary Haskins, Oleta Williams, Dorlas Haskins, and Faye Williams
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: Ronnie Hawkins's grandparents, Billy and Rachel Hawkins
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: Ronnie Hawkins's cousins, Dorlas Haskins (2nd from left) and Marvin Haskins (far right), Montana
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: Ronnie Hawkins's grandparents, Billy and Rachel Hawkins, with his aunt, Mary Haskins
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#10: Henry Hawkins, uncle of Ronnie and Dale Hawkins, with Delmar Hawkins, father of Dale Hawkins and uncle of Ronnie Hawkins
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#11: Members of Ronnie Hawkins family: (seated) father, Jasper Hawkins, and aunt, Pearl Hawkins Williams; (standing) unknown and uncle, Henry Hawkins
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#12: Ronnie Hawkins's aunt, Mary Hawkins Haskins, with Hayes Haskins, Marion Haskins, and Bert Woods
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#13: Ronnie Hawkins's cousin, Virgil Wood
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#14: Ronnie Hawkins's grandparent's 50th anniversary: (front row) Billy and Rachel Hawkins; (back row) Dora, Mary, Louisa, Pearl, Eddie, Henry, and Delmar; Hawkins Hollow, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#15: Hawkins homestead in Hawkins Holler, Arkansas; May 6, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#16: Site photo of the Hawkins homestead near Pettigrew, Arkansas; May 6, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#17: Site photo of the Hawkins homestead near Pettigrew, Arkansas; May 6, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#18: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Dale and Ronnie Hawkins at their family reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#19: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Dale and Ronnie Hawkins at their family reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#20: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Dale and Ronnie Hawkins at their family reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#21: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Dale and Ronnie Hawkins at their family reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#22: Ronnie Hawkins (center) with family members at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#23: Dale Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#24: Ronnie Hawkins (front row, left) and Dale Hawkins (front row, 3rd from left) with family members at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#25: Ronnie Hawkins with Margie Haskins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#26: Ronnie Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#27: Ronnie and Dale Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#28: Dale Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#29: Ronnie and Dale Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#30: Dale Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#31: Ronnie Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#32: Ronnie and Dale Hawkins at the Hawkins Family Reunion; Pettigrew, Arkansas, 2006
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#33: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ronnie Hawkins at the Blessings Golf Club; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2005
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#34: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ronnie Hawkins at the Blessings Golf Club; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2005
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#35: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ronnie Hawkins at the Blessings Golf Club; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2005
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
