Lou Rawls: Three-Time Grammy-Winning Baritone Dies at 72

Lou Rawls was an American singer known for his smooth baritone. Born on December 1, 1933, in Chicago, he sang gospel as a boy and later joined Sam Cooke's group in the 1950s.

Rawls sold more than 40 million records and won three Grammy Awards for Best Male R and B Vocal Performance. His hits included "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing" and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine." He also acted and did voice work, and he founded the annual United Negro College Fund telethon in 1980.

In 1958 a car crash left him in a coma for about five days, and he was reportedly pronounced dead before recovering. Rawls died of lung cancer that had spread to his brain at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on January 6, 2006, at age 72.

Achievements: Three Grammy Awards, host of the UNCF telethon (1980-2005), over 40 million records sold.

Birth: December 1, 1933 - Chicago, Illinois.

Profession: Singer.

Interesting Facts: He was married three times.