Lou Rawls: The Velvet-Voiced Soul and Jazz Icon
Lou Rawls was an American singer whose smooth, resonant baritone bridged the worlds of soul, jazz, blues, and gospel. Hailing from Chicago, he achieved major commercial success with multiple gold and platinum albums, scoring a Grammy Award and a string of R&B and pop hits across three decades.
Early career
Born in 1933, Lou Rawls began singing in the church choir on Chicago's South Side. His professional start came with gospel groups like the Pilgrim Travelers, where he first performed with future star Sam Cooke.
After a near-fatal car accident in 1958, he moved to Los Angeles and began his secular recording career. His early jazz-inflected albums for Capitol Records in the early 1960s, like "Stormy Monday," established his sophisticated, conversational vocal style.
Breakthrough
Lou Rawls' mainstream breakthrough arrived in 1966 with the album "Live!" and its signature single, "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing." The live album, recorded at the famed Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, captured his dynamic stage presence and rapport with audiences.
It soared to number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned him his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance. This success firmly established him as a major force in soul and pop music.
Key tracks
Love Is a Hurtin' Thing — This 1966 single was his first major pop hit, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the R&B chart.
You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine — His 1976 smash for Philadelphia International Records became a career-defining anthem, hitting number 2 on the pop chart and going platinum.
Lady Love — This 1978 single from the album "When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All" gave him another number one R&B hit and a top 40 pop entry.
A Natural Man — The title track from his 1971 album won Rawls his second Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance.
The Girl from Ipanema — His 1969 jazz-pop rendition of the standard showcased his impeccable phrasing and versatility beyond soul music.
In the 1970s, Rawls moved to Philadelphia International Records, collaborating with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. This partnership yielded his biggest commercial success, including the multi-platinum album "All Things in Time" featuring the timeless hit "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine."
Later decades saw Rawls remain a prolific performer, venturing into acting and becoming a familiar voice through his long-running commercial work for Budweiser. His final studio album, "Seasons 4 U," was released in 1998 before his passing in 2006, leaving behind a rich catalog of American music.
Fans of Lou Rawls' smooth soul and jazz delivery should also explore Al Green for his passionate blend of soul and gospel. Bobby Womack shares a similar gritty yet sophisticated soul vocal style. The polished Philadelphia soul sound can be heard in the work of The O'Jays. For another master of baritone jazz phrasing, listen to Joe Williams.
Lou Rawls' music remains a staple on classic soul and jazz radio stations, from dedicated FM channels to curated online streams. His timeless hits are frequently featured in programming blocks celebrating the golden era of R&B and vocal jazz.
You can hear the classic soul and smooth jazz sounds of Lou Rawls on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover his music and other legendary artists from his era through our curated selection of stations.
