What was Lou Rawls’ Net Worth?
Lou Rawls, a beloved American singer known for his jazz, blues, and soul music, passed away at the age of 72 due to lung cancer in Los Angeles. At the time of his death, Rawls had a net worth of $10 million.
With a career spanning over several decades, Rawls released over 60 albums and sold more than 40 million records. His smooth vocal style made him a popular choice for television, motion picture, and voice acting roles.
Lou Rawls Early Life
Lou Rawls was born on December 1, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised by his grandmother in the Ida B. Wells projects of the city’s South Side. Rawls attended Dunbar Vocational High School and graduated in 1951.
As a boy, Rawls began singing in the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church choir and later sang with other local groups. It was through these groups that he met Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield, both of whom would also go on to have successful careers in music.
Lou Rawls’ Early Career and Military Service
Lou Rawls began his singing career after completing high school, performing in several gospel groups including the Teenage Kings of Harmony, Holy Wonders, and Highway QC’s. He later joined the Chosen Gospel Singers and Pilgrim Travelers in Los Angeles.
In 1955, Rawls enlisted in the United States Army as a paratrooper and served in the 82nd Airborne Division. After three years, he left the Army as a Sergeant and rejoined the Pilgrim Travelers. However, in 1958 he was involved in a serious car accident which left him in a coma for almost six days. He spent over a year recuperating and regaining his memory before returning to his music career.
Lou Rawls’ Musical Career Highlights
Lou Rawls began performing again in 1959 and signed a contract with Capital Records in 1962. He later recorded his own cover of “Bring It On Home to Me,” which made the charts in 1970. Rawls released the album “Stormy Monday” in 1962 and followed up with the successful albums “Black and Blue” and “Tobacco Road” in the next couple of years. His album “Live!” went gold and “Soulin” made him a real star in 1966. In 1971, Rawls signed with MGM and released the single “Natural Man,” which became a commercial success. He switched labels several times over the years, releasing his biggest selling single “Another Love Like Mine” on Philadelphia International. Rawls started the “Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon” in 1980 to benefit the United Negro College Fund and raised over $250 million for the organization by the time of his death in 2006.
Lou Rawls’ Career as a Musician and Actor
Lou Rawls released music consistently throughout the 1980s and 1990s while also making appearances on television and film. He acted in popular shows such as “Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Show,” and “The Big Valley” and appeared in movies such as “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Blues Brothers 2000.” Rawls also lent his voice to cartoon characters in various shows. Additionally, he was a spokesperson for Colonial Penn Life Insurance and appeared in advertisements for Budweiser.
Awards and Honors
Lou Rawls received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1979, he won the AMA for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1982. Rawls was invited to sing at the 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala in 1985. He won three Grammy awards, all for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. In 2021, Rawls was posthumously inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Marriages and Family
Lou Rawls was married three times in his life. His first marriage was to Lana Jean Taylor in 1963, which ended in divorce in 1973. In 1989, he married Ceci, and their marriage lasted until 2003. He married his third wife, Nina, in 2004, who helped manage his career. Rawls fathered two sons and two daughters over the course of his life.
Death
In December of 2005, Lou Rawls was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to his brain. He passed away on January 6, 2006, in Los Angeles. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
