LOOP DIGGIN' THURSDAYS, News & Rants 01.12.06
Posted by Phil Watts, Jr on 01.12.2006
2006 barely got started, and already we lost another one...
What a way to start off 2006...with the death of another hero.
I don't think this man ever got as much credit as he deserved. In fact, today's black music fans don't give him any credit at all because his music ‘just isn't relevant' to today's audience...it's unfortunate, but true. If I could change that, I would.
Now, I've always had massive respect for the whole Philadelphia International sound. Philly International was one of the many labels that kept Soul music alive during the 70's, and even the early 80's. Most of your parents were jammin' to this music the same way today's fans jam to the shit coming out today.
Philly International not only had one of the best back-up bands in soul music (the MFSB Band), some of the greatest songwriters in soul music (Gamble & Huff, McFadden & Whitehead, Thom Bell), and some of the best singers to ever come out during the 60's and 70's. Everyone from Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The O'Jays, the Three Degrees, Billy Paul, and...Lou Rawls.
Lou was one of the smoothest baritone singers you will ever hear. Even though Lou Rawls has had his started working singing with Sam Cooke and has had a long career with his work on Capital Records during the 60's, I'll always remember him for the many hits from the 70's. Songs such as "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine", "Groovy People", "See You When I Get There", "Lady Love", and "Let Me Be Good To You" (my personal favorite). Other favorites include "From Now On", "Early Morning Love", (why this isn't a 'Quiet Storm' classic is a mystery to me) and his rendition of Nat 'King' Cole's "Unforgettable" (which I think is better than the original...in MY opinion anyway).
Even though his place in R&B was waning during the 80's (then again, so was everyone else's), he did some voice work in TV and Cartoon specials (particularly those GARFIELD specials, which I miss very much. They need to collect that shit on DVD). Most importantly, he started the United Negro College Fund to help disadvantaged black kids get a higher education, an organization Lou has put lots of effort in promoting and doing telethons for, and has been supporting to the very end.
January 6, Lou Rawls became one of many great stars that we lost due to cancer. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, founders of Philly International Records, recently came out with the following statement (taken from RareSoul.com) about his passing:
"It is with deep sympathy and heartfelt compassion that we send our condolences and prayers to the family of Lou Rawls. Lou was a vital part of the star-studded roster of artists signed to our Philadelphia International Records label throughout the '70s and a tremendous contributor to our international success.
Having had the great pleasure and distinct honor of writing, producing and recording an abundance of songs for Lou, we proudly give glowing testament to his exceptional vocal prowess.
Lou possessed one of the best voices in the industry and one of the richest baritones we've ever heard. When it came time for Lou to lay his matchless voice over our tracks, the winning outcome was a consistent flow of jubilant and astonishing magic and majesty. Working with Lou was indeed one of the biggest highlights of our career, as writing and producing for an artist of his caliber helped to make us better musicians.
Beyond his magnificent voice and amazing career as a music artist, we salute Lou for his stellar reputation as a great humanitarian as demonstrated by his selfless work in raising millions of dollars for the United Negro College Fund.
Lou's noble efforts opened the doors of higher education for millions of African Americans who, otherwise, may never have been introduced to the college experience. He used his star power to help others, which made him shine even brighter. Lou Rawls will forever be remembered as a remarkable human being, an outstanding recording artist, a spectacular stage performer and unquestionably, an essential part of the fabric of The Sound of Philadelphia."
You can go to RareSoul.com and check out some of Lou's early material (including a song he did with Sam Cooke), as well as many other long forgotten jems from other soul artists.
It's a real sad way to start out the new year, but as the saying goes, you don't really die as long of people remember you. As long as I got his Platinum-selling ALL THINGS IN TIME album in the CD changer, he's not going to be forgotten any time soon.
