As one of the most talked-about figures, Lou Rawls has built a significant fortune. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.
What was Lou Rawls' Net Worth?
In 1971, Rawls signed with MGM and shortly after released the single "Natural Man," which became a commercial success. He again switched labels in 1974, signing with Bell Records, and then again in 1976, when he signed with Philadelphia International. On that label, he released "All Things in Time," which featured the single "Another Love Like Mine." This track became his biggest-selling single, selling over a million copies and topping the charts.
He began performing again in 1959. In 1962, he signed a contract with Capital Records and sang backup vocals on two tracks written by Cooke – "Bring It On Home to Me" and "That's Where It's At." He later recorded his own cover of "Bring It On Home to Me," which made the charts in 1970.
In 1955, Rawls enlisted in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82ndAirborne Division. He left the Army three years later as a Sergeant and rejoined the Pilgrim Travelers. In 1958, he was involved in a serious car accident, at which he was pronounced dead before arriving at the hospital. He was in a coma for almost six days and then spent over a year recuperating and regaining his memory.
After completing high school, Rawls sang with Sam Cooke in the Teenage Kings of Harmony, a gospel group, as well as in the Holy Wonders. In 1951, he also began singing in the Highway QC's, taking Cooke's spot after he left to join The Soul Stirrers in Los Angeles. Rawls was soon after hired by the Chosen Gospel Singers and also moved to Los Angeles. There, he joined the Pilgrim Travelers.
Lou Rawls was an American singer of jazz, blues, and soul music who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death. Lou Rawls died of lung cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 72 years. During his career, he released over 60 albums and sold more than 40 million records. Thanks to his smooth vocal style, he also served as a television, motion picture, and voice actor.
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. When he was a boy, he began singing in the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church choir. As he got older, he sang with other local groups. Through these groups, he metSam CookeandCurtis Mayfield, who would also go on to have successful careers in music. Rawls attended Dunbar Vocational High School and graduated in 1951.
Rawls released the album "Stormy Monday," a jazz album, in 1962. In the next couple of years, he released the albums "Black and Blue" and "Tobacco Road." They both sold well and made the Billboard charts. In 1966, he released the album "Live!" and received gold status certification. However, it was the album he released later that same year, "Soulin," which made him a real star. The album featured the singles "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing" and "Dead End Street."
In 1977, he released the album "When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All," which featured the hit single "Lady Love." In 1980, he began the "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon," which benefitted the United Negro College Fund. In January of 2004, Rawls was honored by the Fund for all of the work he had done for the organization. The Fund organized a concert in whichStevie Wonder,Ashanti, andGerald Levertperformed for Rawls while he sat in the seat of honor. At the time of Rawls's death in 2006, the telethon event had raised over $250 million for the Fund.
Ultimately, Lou Rawls's financial journey is a testament to their success.
Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.