Singer Lou Rawls dies of cancer at 72

His “raps” were so popular that 1967’s “Dead End Street” won him his first Grammy for best R&B vocal performance. The singer won three Grammys in a career that spanned nearly five decades and included the hits “Your Good Thing (Is About to End),” “Natural Man” and “Lady Love.” He released his most recent album, “Seasons 4 U,” in 1998 on his own label, Rawls & Brokaw Records.

But his main musical legacy is “You’ll Never Find,” recorded after Rawls signed with Gamble and Huff, architects of the classic “Philadelphia Sound.”

“That was the first record we put out on him,” Gamble said. “It captured the best of his voice. It had all the dimensions, it had the low and it had the excitement. And plus the lyrics were something people could relate to.”

Rawls also appeared in 18 movies, including “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Blues Brothers 2000,” and 16 television series, including “Fantasy Island” and “The Fall Guy.”

Rawls was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2004 and brain cancer in May 2005. Rawls told Shefrin he quit smoking 35 to 40 years ago. Asked about reports Rawls tried to treat his cancer holistically, Shefrin said: “He did try alternative methods. He used traditional and alternative methods.”

Along with his wife, Rawls is survived by four children: Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Smith and Aiden Rawls.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete, Shefrin said.

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