Singer Lou Rawls dead at 72

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Grammy Award-winning soul, blues and jazz singer Lou Rawls died of cancer in a Los Angeles hospital Friday at age 72.

Rawls, who had lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., since 2003, was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The singer of "Love Is A Hurtin' Thing," "Lady Love" and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," viewed his annual telethon for the United Negro College Fund as his "proudest achievement," his publicist, Paul Shefrin, told the newspaper.

The career of the Chicago native's rich baritone spanned more than 70 albums, one that went platinum, five that went gold and a gold single.

He also had three Grammy Awards among 13 nominations.

Frank Sinatra once described Rawls as having "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game," the Times said.

Rawls' illness was revealed by his current wife, Nina Inman, 33, during a December annulment hearing.

The couple married New Years Day 2004 and had an adopted infant son. Rawls, however, said he wanted to protect his assets and filed for annulment.