R.I.P. LOU RAWLS

One of the finest soul/R&B voices of recent memory, Lou Rawls, lost his battle with cancer and died Friday.

"You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)", "Lady Love", "Natural Man", and "Dead End Street". Those were a few of the many songs featuring his smooth voice, which no less than Frank Sinatra called the "silkiest chops in the singing game." He was also known for making the phrase "When you've said Budweiser, you've said it all." part of Americana for a number of years as a spokesman for the beer's parent company, Anheuser-Busch.

In addition to his commercial and occasional movie and TV work, Lou Rawls was recognized as a community activist, and was one of the main players in supporting the United Negro College Fund, hosting their annual telethons which to date have raised over $200 million to help historically black colleges. He was also a military veteran, enlisting in the Army's 82nd Airbourne Division in 1955 and reaching the rank of sergeant before his discharge three years later.
Lou Rawls will be missed. RIP.