Recording artist Lou Rawls, whose career spanned decades and included three Grammy wins, 60-plus released albums and a Star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame, was born on this day in 1933 in Chicago.

Rawls’ first interest in music began at a young age when he joined his church choir at just seven years old. In high school, he formed the group The Teenage Kings of Harmony with now-legendary recording artist Sam Cooke. Rawls moved to California in the 1950s and joined the Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.

After a serious accident while on tour with the gospel group The Pilgrim Travelers, Rawls returned to Los Angeles and performed in small venues throughout the area. His first record, Stormy Monday, was released in 1962. Rawls would go on to release dozens of additional albums throughout his career, spanning genres and cultivating a large following of loyal fans.

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