By Sean Olson, University Relations
Lou Rawls will perform Nov. 1 as part of UC/LS.
(Special Note: Singer Lou Rawls passed away on Jan. 6, 2006, making his November 1, 2005, event at UNCG among his last public performances.)
He is known popularly as The Voice because his rich baritone is among the most recognizable in contemporary music.
UNCG will host Lou Rawls in a program titled “Rawls Sings Sinatra, Rawls Sings Rawls” at 8 p.m. Nov. 1 in Aycock Auditorium as the third performance in the University Concert/Lecture Series.
Rawls will sing several Sinatra standards off his 2003 CD that includes “Come Fly with Me,” “That’s Life” and “One for My Baby.” He’ll also challenge himself with his own hits as well, which range from gospel to blues to jazz to soul to pop.
During his 40-plus years as a recording artist, Rawls has received three Grammy Awards and released more than 60 albums, including one platinum album, five gold albums and a gold single. His song “Love is a Hurtin’ Thing” shot him to the top in 1966 after receiving two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Recording and Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance.
One critic described Rawls’ unmistakable voice as “sweet as sugar, soft as velvet, strong as steel, smooth as butter.”
In addition to singing, Rawls has acted in television series, independent films, movies and a Broadway show, “Smokey Joe’s Café.” He has also done voice-overs for “Hey Arnold,” a Nickelodeon cartoon, and “Rugrats: The Movie.”
Tickets are $35, $30 or $25 for adults and $33, $28 or $23 for seniors, children or non-UNCG students. Student tickets are $9, $8 and $6. Prices vary depending on seat location. Call the University Box Office at (336) 334-4849 for tickets.
Lou Rawls is the third of seven events in the 2005-06 University Concert/Lecture Series. Other events include: Jan. 21, actress-singer Betty Lynn Buckley; Feb. 12, the musical MAME; Feb. 24, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana dance troupe; and April 6, modern dance company MOMIX performing “Passion.”
