The Hipnotics is a group of all-star rhythm and blues veterans, formed in 1990, to back soul singer extraordinaire. Leroy Hawkes. Hawkes whose career began in the church as a gospel singer in Virginia, later moved to Philadelphia where he sang with various local acts. There he developed his musical style, reflecting the influence of singers such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Joe Tex, and Wilson Pickett. By the 1980’s Hawkes was appearing with great like the Temptations and the O’Jays