Velvet-voiced Singer Lou Rawls Dies At Age 72

NEW YORK (Blue Note Records) - Lou Rawls, the velvet-voiced singer who started as a church choir boy and went on to record such classic tunes as "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," died Monday, January 6, 2006 of cancer. He was 72.

Born in Chicago, Rawls started out as a gospel singer and later performed as a warm-up act for the Beatles in the 1960s. He went on to act in Hollywood and on Broadway, but he was best known for his jazz, soul and blues hits.
His sugar-sweet tones made him instantly recognizable, and Frank Sinatra reputedly said he had the "silkiest chops in the singing game."
Famed for his catchphrase "Yeah, Buddy", Rawls was also known for charitable work. Starting with his "Parade of Stars" benefit concerts, he raised more than US$200 million to put African-American students through college.

His 40-year career included 60 albums, brought him three Grammy Awards and 13 nominations, a platinum album, five gold albums and a gold single.

The singer passed away at a hospital in Los Angeles. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004. He is survived by his wife Nina and children Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Smith, and Aiden.

On his official website, a message is posted for fans that reads:

In Memoriam
Lou Rawls
December 1, 1933 - January 6, 2006

...We all know that Lou Rawls' music entertained people around the world on vinyl, tape, CDs and in concert performances. Most of us know of Lou's fine work for over thirty years with the United Negro College Fund. During his travels, nothing lit Lou's eyes more than meeting the doctors, lawyers, architects, etc., who had benefited from scholarships as a result of his telethons and other fundraising activities for the UNCF. He truely believed that "a mind is a terrible thing to waste."

...Having known Lou Rawls for over 25 years, I want you to know that he was a warm individual who was supremely generous in spirit. The quality I have been most impressed with over the years was the fact that Lou was an entertainer who genuinely liked people. In an airport, on the street, in restaurants and backstage Lou was always had a smile, a word, a handshake, a picture or an autograph for those who came up to him. He always ended his encounter with a big smile and his favorite phrase, "Yeah Buddy."

...Lou will be greatly missed