BEIJING, Jan. 9 -- Silky-Smooth jazz and soul crooner Lou Rawls, famed for his 1976 hit "You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)," died of lung and brain cancer in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 72.

    Born in Chicago, Rawls started out as a gospel singer and later performed as a warm-up act for the Beatles in the 1960s. He went on to act in Hollywood and on Broadway, but he was best known for his jazz, soul and blues hits.

    His sugar-sweet tones made him instantly recognizable, and Frank Sinatra reputedly said he had the "silkiest chops in the singing game."

    Famed for his catchphrase "Yeah, Buddy", Rawls was also known for charitable work. Starting with his "Parade of Stars" benefit concerts, he raised more than US$200 million to put African-American students through college.

    His 40-year career included 60 albums, brought him three Grammy Awards and 13 nominations, a platinum album, five gold albums and a gold single.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)