Died On This Date (January 6, 2006) Lou Rawls / R&B Icon
themusicsover Lou Rawls
December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006
Lou Rawls was one of the most popular soul and jazz singers during the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Over the course of his career, he released over 70 albums and sold upwards of 40 million. Rawls’ career in music began as a teenager in Chicago where he and classmate, Sam Cooke performed in a local gospel group. Signed to Capitol Records in the early ’60s, Rawls kept a busy pace over the course of the next two decades, from opening for the Beatles in 1966 to co-hosting a television show in 1969 to singing a remarkable rendition of the National Anthem before the Muhammad Ali – Earnie Shavers fight of September 29, 1977. His most memorable hit was 1976’s “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.” Lou Rawls passed away as a result of cancer at the age of 72.
What You Should Own
Known to millions around the world as “Smokin’ Joe” inside the boxing ring, Joe Frazier also flirted with a career in music by fronting his own R&B group, the Knockouts. As a fighter, Frazier’s well-documented career included a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics as well as numerous professional victories over the likes of Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis, and of course, Muhammad Ali, in a 1971 fight that has been dubbed the “Fight Of The Century.” His trio of battles with Ali (including the legendary 1975 “Thilla In Manilla”) made up one the greatest rivalries in sports history. Throughout the course of his professional career, Frazier had an impressive record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. What many didn’t know however, was that Frazier could very well have been a champ of the music charts as well. He loved to sing – both inside the ring and out, and he recorded several decent records over the years. That list includes “If You Go, Stay Gone,” “Little Dog Heaven,” “The Bigger They Come,” and “You Got The Love.” He also formed his own soul revue outfit, Joe Frazier & the Knockouts, who performed regularly in Las Vegas