- Served in the 82nd Airborne.
- Pronounced dead in 1958. (Actually died in 2006.)
- Performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1959.
- Sang background vocals for Sam Cooke.
- Opened for the Beatles in 1966.
- Won his first Grammy in 1967.
- Stood in for Dean Martin in 1969.
- Sang the National Anthem at Shavers-Ali in 1977 (and subsequently many many times after)
- Sang the alphabet on Sesame Street in its first season.
- Appeared in an episode of Baywatch.
- One of Frank Sinatra’s favorite voices.
- Reported to be played by Isaiah Washington in an upcoming biopic.
- Remembering him today, on what would have been his 80th birthday.
Lou Rawls