I Remember the first-time seeing Lou Rawls on television, I believe it was the Ed Sullivan Show. His voice was mesmerizing and had a soulful, calming effect. Little did I know that one day I would meet and become friends with the Soul Singing Icon. I, we, Johnny Angel and the Halos, were performing for a National event at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom. We performed on Friday Night and Lou Rawls was to perform the next evening. While we were performing that night I saw out of the corner of my eye Mr. Rawls watching our performance and motioned to call him when we were finished with our show. After our performance, I met Lou for a drink and to talk about the event. He was bigger than life but one of the most down to earth gentlemen I have ever met. I was like a sponge asking questions about his career and his life. He mentioned to me that he would be back in town a few months later to perform at the Jazz and Blues festival at Point Park and invited me to attend. Fast forward to that magical night … my wife, Marylou, and I went to the concert and went backstage and was greeted by the man himself … you can imagine how blown away we were to not only be backstage with the Soul Icon but he actually remembered me. The Point was wall to wall people and Lou asked his Road Manager to take two folding chairs in front of the stage, an area where only the media and camera men were permitted. Lou began the show and dedicated the next song to my wife Marylou. It was a night that we will never forget. If you have an opportunity to visit my Store/Museum … Johnny Angel’s Ginchy Stuff and Museum … you will find an exhibit dedicated to the great Lou Rawls and his tour jacket displayed along with some photos of the times spent with the gentleman. It’s amazing how genuine he was, no star attitude, just a great guy from Chi-town that enjoyed people. A person who had Gold Records, did some acting, sang “Wind Beneath My Wings” at President Ronald Reagans inauguration, performed with Sam Cooke (Bring It On Home To Me), he began the “Lou Rawls Parade of Stars” to benefit the United Negro College Fund, who doesn’t remember the voice of Budweiser Beer? The list of accomplishments is incredible. Frank Sinatra once said that Lou Rawls had “the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game”. Thanks for the memories … The Soulman and Gentleman … Mr. Lou Rawls!