Lou Rawls
Lou Rawls, born Louis Allen Rawls on December 1, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, was a renowned American singer whose versatile baritone voice excelled in jazz, soul, gospel, and rhythm and blues. Raised by his grandmother in the Ida B. Wells projects, Rawls began his musical journey singing in the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church choir at the age of seven. He later joined gospel groups, including the Teenage Kings of Harmony, where he performed alongside Sam Cooke.
After a stint in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper, Rawls returned to music, joining the Pilgrim Travelers. A near-fatal car crash in 1958 marked a turning point in his life. Rawls transitioned to secular music, releasing his debut jazz album, "Stormy Monday," in 1962. He achieved commercial success with his first R&B album, "Soulin'," in 1966, featuring the hit single "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing."
Rawls won three Grammy Awards for his work, including "Dead End Street" (1967), "A Natural Man" (1971), and "Unmistakably Lou" (1977). His most famous single, "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," topped the charts in 1976. Beyond music, Rawls contributed to film and television and was a prominent figure in charity, raising over $200 million for the United Negro College Fund.
Lou Rawls passed away on January 6, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy of over 50 albums and a profound impact on the music industry.
App
