Lou Rawls Dies at 72 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-06-2006, 12:02 PM

Grammy-Winning Singer Lou Rawls Dies

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 6) - Lou Rawls, the velvet-voiced singer who started as a church choir boy and went on to sell more than 40 million albums has died, his publicist said. He won three Grammy Awards in a career that spanned nearly five decades and a range of genres. He was 72.

Rawls died early Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was hospitalized last month for treatment of lung and brain cancer, his publicist Paul Shefrin said. His wife Nina was at his bedside when he died, Shefrin said.

The family and Shefrin said Rawls was 72, although other records indicate he was 70.

Rawls' voice was his inimitable trademark.

Jazz historian Leonard Feather wrote in "The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the Sixties" that Rawls "has a vigorous, confident style, a strong affinity for the blues and a personal sound."

"I've gone the full spectrum, from gospel to blues to jazz to soul to pop," Rawls once said on his Web site. "And the public has accepted what I've done through it all."

Rawls' grandmother introduced him to gospel in his hometown of Chicago. The singer moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1950s to join a touring gospel group, the Pilgrim Travelers.

After a two-year stint in the Army, Rawls returned to Los Angeles and rejoined the Pilgrim Travelers, where he sang with Sam Cooke. Rawls performed with Dick Clark at the Hollywood Bowl in 1959, and two years later, he opened for The Beatles at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

Rawls was playing small blues and R&B clubs in Los Angeles when his four-octave range caught the ear of a Capitol Records producer, who signed him to the label in 1962.

His debut effort, "Stormy Monday," recorded with the Les McCann Trio, was the first of 28 albums Rawls made with Capitol.

His 1966 hit, "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing," topped the charts and earned Rawls his first two Grammy nominations. He received 13 during his career.

Rawls, whose hits included "Dead End Street" and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," released his most recent album, "Seasons 4 U," in 1998 on his own label, Rawls & Brokaw Records.

The stalwart singer also appeared in 18 movies, including "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Blues Brothers 2000," and 16 television series, including "Fantasy Island" and "The Fall Guy."

A longtime community activist, Rawls visited schools, playgrounds and community centers in the 1960s, encouraging children to continue their studies and have confidence in their abilities. In the '80s, he helped the United Negro College Fund raise more than $200 million through telethons.

In 1976, Rawls became the corporate spokesman for the Anheuser-Busch Cos. breweries.

Rawls was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2004 and brain cancer in May 2005.

Besides his wife Nina, Rawls is survived by four children, Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Smith and Aiden Rawls.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete, Shefrin said.

Janice · 01-06-2006, 12:05 PM

Very sad. I enjoyed his music immensely. 'You'll Never Find (another love like mine)' has always been one of my favorite love songs.

Brian Damage · 01-06-2006, 12:08 PM

Wow, I didn't even know he was sick. I love that song as well.

James"Thunder"Early · 01-06-2006, 12:08 PM

And right before his annual telethon airs

The Chauffeur · 01-06-2006, 12:53 PM

Aww wow..

RIP Lou.

Moonlight Lady · 01-06-2006, 01:04 PM

That sucks, I liked Lou Rawls. You'll never Find Another Love" was my favorite too. I also enjoyed "Lady Love".

Lou

Ireneparalegal · 01-06-2006, 02:16 PM

"We'll never find...another voice like that...I remember hearing just a month ago he was sick from cancer. And just yesterday I heard his song "you'll never find" and as I heard it I wondered how he had been doing. So eerie. May he have his peace in heaven now and sing his heart out to everyone there.

PrettyinPink55 · 01-06-2006, 03:24 PM

Oh wow!!! I knew he was sick, but this is still very sad!

isiahthomas · 01-06-2006, 05:40 PM

RIP Lou. I hope his ex wife and his daughters doesn't get any of his money. They were trying to get his money before he became sick. I hate money hungry women. I like Lou's songs Dollar Green, If I Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda, Not The Staying Kind, Lady Love, You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine. He seemed like a nice guy and he cared about others. You can tell he cared about others because he always had his telethon raising money for black kids to go to college.

Janice · 01-06-2006, 05:43 PM

With the passing of Barry White, Luther Vandross and now Lou Rawls....we've lost some great men and sexy voices.

musicradio77 · 01-06-2006, 06:47 PM

I remember Lou Rawls where he sang the opening themes to the Garfield TV specials like "Here Comes Garfield", "Garfield's Halloween Adventure" and "Garfield's Christmas". The songs I like is "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" and "Lady Love". That was sad news. I have two LP's "All Things in Time" and "When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All". Another great loss. RIP.

Cactus Jack · 01-06-2006, 06:56 PM

RIP Lou

Tuesday Weld · 01-06-2006, 07:12 PM

GARFIELDKOOL · 01-06-2006, 08:31 PM

R.I.P. Lou. When I heard a few weeks ago he had brain cancer, in addition to all the other illnesses he had, I kind of knew he wasn't going to make it.

Steve M. · 01-06-2006, 10:48 PM

RIP Lou. Another great soul voice gone.

01-06-2006, 12:02 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Lou Rawls Dies at 72 Grammy-Winning Singer Lou Rawls Dies LOS ANGELES (Jan. 6) - Lou Rawls, the velvet-voiced singer who started as a church choir boy and went on to sell more than 40 million albums has died, his publicist said. He won three Grammy Awards in a career that spanned nearly five decades and a range of genres. He was 72. Rawls died early Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was hospitalized last month for treatment of lung and brain cancer, his publicist Paul Shefrin said. His wife Nina was at his bedside when he died, Shefrin said. The family and Shefrin said Rawls was 72, although other records indicate he was 70. Rawls' voice was his inimitable trademark. Jazz historian Leonard Feather wrote in "The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the Sixties" that Rawls "has a vigorous, confident style, a strong affinity for the blues and a personal sound." "I've gone the full spectrum, from gospel to blues to jazz to soul to pop," Rawls once said on his Web site. "And the public has accepted what I've done through it all." Rawls' grandmother introduced him to gospel in his hometown of Chicago. The singer moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1950s to join a touring gospel group, the Pilgrim Travelers. After a two-year stint in the Army, Rawls returned to Los Angeles and rejoined the Pilgrim Travelers, where he sang with Sam Cooke. Rawls performed with Dick Clark at the Hollywood Bowl in 1959, and two years later, he opened for The Beatles at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Rawls was playing small blues and R&B clubs in Los Angeles when his four-octave range caught the ear of a Capitol Records producer, who signed him to the label in 1962. His debut effort, "Stormy Monday," recorded with the Les McCann Trio, was the first of 28 albums Rawls made with Capitol. His 1966 hit, "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing," topped the charts and earned Rawls his first two Grammy nominations. He received 13 during his career. Rawls, whose hits included "Dead End Street" and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," released his most recent album, "Seasons 4 U," in 1998 on his own label, Rawls & Brokaw Records. The stalwart singer also appeared in 18 movies, including "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Blues Brothers 2000," and 16 television series, including "Fantasy Island" and "The Fall Guy." A longtime community activist, Rawls visited schools, playgrounds and community centers in the 1960s, encouraging children to continue their studies and have confidence in their abilities. In the '80s, he helped the United Negro College Fund raise more than $200 million through telethons. In 1976, Rawls became the corporate spokesman for the Anheuser-Busch Cos. breweries. Rawls was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2004 and brain cancer in May 2005. Besides his wife Nina, Rawls is survived by four children, Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Smith and Aiden Rawls. Funeral arrangements were incomplete, Shefrin said.
	Last edited by Janice; 01-06-2006 at 01:44 PM.

01-06-2006, 12:05 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	R.I.P. Lou Rawls Very sad. I enjoyed his music immensely. 'You'll Never Find (another love like mine)' has always been one of my favorite love songs.

01-06-2006, 12:08 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Wow, I didn't even know he was sick. I love that song as well.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-06-2006, 12:08 PM	#4
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	And right before his annual telethon airs
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

01-06-2006, 12:53 PM	#5
The Chauffeur Good Evening... Senior Member Join Date: Jan 24, 2005 Location: Under the sun Posts: 2,866	Aww wow.. RIP Lou.
	__________________ A.K.A...wynter72 "I got this whole thing worked out on a level that you wouldn't even BEGIN to understand baby. Ya see....This whole thing's a chess game, and this here Xerox machine's the POPE."

01-06-2006, 01:04 PM	#6
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	That sucks, I liked Lou Rawls. You'll never Find Another Love" was my favorite too. I also enjoyed "Lady Love". Lou
	__________________ [

01-06-2006, 02:16 PM	#7
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	"We'll never find...another voice like that...I remember hearing just a month ago he was sick from cancer. And just yesterday I heard his song "you'll never find" and as I heard it I wondered how he had been doing. So eerie. May he have his peace in heaven now and sing his heart out to everyone there.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

01-06-2006, 03:24 PM	#8
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	Oh wow!!! I knew he was sick, but this is still very sad!
	__________________ ♥♥♥

01-06-2006, 05:40 PM	#9
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	RIP Lou. I hope his ex wife and his daughters doesn't get any of his money. They were trying to get his money before he became sick. I hate money hungry women. I like Lou's songs Dollar Green, If I Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda, Not The Staying Kind, Lady Love, You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine. He seemed like a nice guy and he cared about others. You can tell he cared about others because he always had his telethon raising money for black kids to go to college.

01-06-2006, 05:43 PM	#10
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	With the passing of Barry White, Luther Vandross and now Lou Rawls....we've lost some great men and sexy voices.

01-06-2006, 06:47 PM	#11
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	I remember Lou Rawls where he sang the opening themes to the Garfield TV specials like "Here Comes Garfield", "Garfield's Halloween Adventure" and "Garfield's Christmas". The songs I like is "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" and "Lady Love". That was sad news. I have two LP's "All Things in Time" and "When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All". Another great loss. RIP.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

01-06-2006, 06:56 PM	#12
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP Lou
	__________________ Id Love to help you Tracy, but I cant have sex with a black guy, Id lose my endorsement deal with NASCAR-Jenna Maroney,30 Rock April 17,2009 9:02 PM : 100,000th post!

01-06-2006, 07:12 PM	#13
Tuesday Weld I missed you all. hugs Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Having a great time. Posts: 22,285
	__________________ Cindy Formerly musicrocksmyworld, ElvisDustyfan and vintagetvgirl. After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say "I want to see the manager." - William S. Burroughs

01-06-2006, 08:31 PM	#14
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	R.I.P. Lou. When I heard a few weeks ago he had brain cancer, in addition to all the other illnesses he had, I kind of knew he wasn't going to make it.

01-06-2006, 10:48 PM	#15
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,307	RIP Lou. Another great soul voice gone.
	__________________ I don't really get out a lot. When I do go out, I couldn't be happier. I love being in a nice milieu. I'm as happy as a clam. Just as long as I'm not in some club playing hip-hop. You hear that sort of thing in a lot of places. That's not my milieu. Rock and roll is good-time music. I love rock. So did my parents.