Douglas (Bronzeville) in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lou Rawls

1935-

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Lou Rawls Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Lou Rawls Marker

Inscription.
Gospel & pop vocalist
Benefactor, United Negro College Fund

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 41° 50.381′ N, 87° 37.061′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on South Martin Luther King Drive 0.1 miles north of East 31st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3000 South Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: Robert S. Abbott (a few steps from this marker); Harold Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Willa Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Florence B. Price (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph H. Metcalfe (within shouting distance of this marker); Sam Cooke (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Corneal Davis (about 400 feet away); Dr. Mae Jemison (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Roughly 100 Bronzeville Walk of Fame markers are found around the neighborhood along Martin Luther King Drive between 25th and 35th Streets.

Regarding Lou Rawls. Lou Rawls died in 2006. He was born in Chicago and raised in the Ida B. Wells Homes, a public housing project that stood about a mile southeast of this spot. As a child he sang in gospel choirs, where he met other future music luminaries, including Sam Cooke. He later attended Dunbar High School, which is next to this historical marker on King Drive.

Also see . . . New York Times: Lou Rawls obituary.

Excerpt: "Born in Chicago and raised by his father's
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Lou Rawls Marker in front of Dunbar High School, where he attended school
mother, Mr. Rawls began singing at age 7 in the choir of his grandmother's Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church. He became known around town, and had one important connection: he was close friends with Sam Cooke, with whom he sang in a group called the Teenage Kings of Harmony. Later, Mr. Rawls joined another local gospel group, the Holy Wonders. In 1951, he took Cooke's place in the Highway QC's, staying for two years; in 1953, when the Chosen Gospel Singers came through Chicago, he was hired by that group, who gave him his first exposure on record, in 1954."

(Submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.