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Lou RawlsSinger, composer, "golden" voice of blues
Date of Birth: 01.12.1935
Country:  USA |
Content:
- A Soulful Voice: The Journey of Lou Rawls
- Pilgrim Travelers and Sam Cooke's Influence
- Solo Career and Breakout Success
- Grammy-Winning Success and Crossover Appeal
A Soulful Voice: The Journey of Lou Rawls
Early Years and Church InfluencesLouis Allen Rawls Jr., fondly known as Lou Rawls, emerged from the vibrant South Side of Chicago. From a young age, his voice soared within the walls of his church choir, laying the foundation for his extraordinary musical career.
Pilgrim Travelers and Sam Cooke's Influence
In the mid-1950s, Rawls joined the Los Angeles gospel group, the Pilgrim Travelers. In 1956, he was drafted into the army, where he continued to hone his vocal skills. After his discharge, he briefly performed with Sam Cooke's touring group. However, a life-changing car accident with Cooke in 1958 left Rawls in a coma for several days. Upon his recovery, he rejoined the Pilgrim Travelers.
Solo Career and Breakout Success
Following the breakup of the Pilgrim Travelers in 1959, Rawls embraced a bluesy style and began performing in Los Angeles nightclubs. He also made regular appearances on the popular TV show "77 Sunset Strip." During this period, he recorded the iconic duet "Bring It On Home To Me" with Sam Cooke, showcasing the power and contrast of their voices.
In 1962, Rawls signed a solo contract with Capitol Records. After several successful albums, he achieved his breakthrough in 1966 with the single "Love Is A Hurtin' Thing." It reached the top of the R&B charts and broke into the top 20 of the pop charts, solidifying Rawls' status as a master of soul music.
Grammy-Winning Success and Crossover Appeal
In the mid-1960s, Rawls' music began to appeal to a wider, white audience. His 1966 Grammy-winning single "Dead End Street" exemplified this crossover success, featuring a haunting spoken word performance set to a captivating arrangement.
Rawls continued to release a string of "gold" albums, including the live album "Lou Rawls Live!" in 1966. By the end of the 1960s, he had become a regular guest on national television shows, further solidifying his status as a legendary performer.
