Lou Ragland - Sad News RIP

yep unfortunately looks like it is true

was reported by Tony Wells via facebook 7 hours ago

https://www.facebook.com/tony.wells.184

Rip Lou

video

 Mr Lou Ragland. Thank you for your contribution to the soundtrack of my life. 

Sleep well and may you Rest in peace 

Steve.  X

BIG Big (wheel) Man through Highs an Lows. R.I.P.

A man of so many talents, gear and opportunities.

RIP Lou. Lots of great songs.

Sad news indeed-a man much loved on the Soul scene,whose records brought much pleasure

R.I.P. Lou very sad news indeed

and thank you !

Lou Ragland R.I.P.

You May Have 'Traveled Alone' But you may not have realised that all your Fans all over the world were 'With You All The Way' You Are a Hero And a Legend to so many People, Thank You So Much

Lou Ragland R.I.P. 

Very sad news:-( he was just an AWESOME artist...

rest in peace Lou

This is my favourite Lou Ragland track , proper legend 

Damn. Thanks.

"You made me 3 times happier that the law allowed me to be" with your Music Mr. Ragland. Condolences to your loved ones and may you RIP. A great Soul Artist

Very sorry to hear this sad news. An amazing artist so many great vocals. Personally What Should I Do from a great album RIP sir you have not travelled alone. Condolences to family & friends 

10 hours ago, Daved said:

RIP Lou. Lots of great songs.

 

 

RIP Mr Ragland.

This record is one of 50 I could not let go when I sold my collection....his vocal range was magnificent, and his legacy will live on and on.

Ed

Another sad loss, I Travel Alone was a big record for me in my early days on the scene, saw him at Hinckley back in the 80s. I guess Tobi and Laine were right.

Sad news indeed superb artist first saw him with the ric-tic review at Notts palias early 80"s, such a humble man 

Thanks for the memories

Rip Lou 

Lou got in touch with me on Instagram saying how blessed he was, a couple of weeks ago, I don’t know what prompted him, I put up a few records now again, I feel so honoured for him reaching out in friendship despite the late stage of his illness. Sail On in perfect peace Soul Man, Much love. 

Met him at Prestatyn many moons ago, lovely guy, ultra talented singer, writer and producer, R.I.P. Lou

Kev

A good article in Blues and Soul at the time of his May 1990 visit to the UK.

Condolences to Lou's family.  

Kevin (in Chester)

sent in via site contact feature

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 22, 2020 – Lou Ragland, leader and lead vocalist of The World Famous Ink Spots, the third-generation iteration of the legendary vocal quartet, died Aug. 19 at his residence in North Las Vegas after a brief illness. He was 78.

Prior to his death, Ragland and The World Famous Ink Spots were performing Friday to Monday at Alexis Park Resort Las Vegas. Their on-going residency was cut short in March when Nevada casinos and resorts were ordered closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

For more than 25-years, Ragland has carried on the Ink Spots sound created in the 1930’s by founders Ivory "Deek" Watson, Jerry Daniels, Charles Fuqua & Orville "Hoppy" Jones. Just before his death in 1969, Watson asked George Holmes, his bass player and vocalist, to carry on the Ink Spots tradition. In 1978, Lou Ragland joined The George Holmes Ink Spots as guitarist and vocalist. In 1993, Lou Ragland, promised Holmes prior to his death that he, too, would carry on the sound and tradition as The World Famous Ink Spots.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ink Spots Leader Lou Ragland Dead at 78

Ragland had a six-decade career as a journeyman soul singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and label head. During the late 1960s and mid-1970s, Ragland produced some of Cleveland’s renowned soul music, leading for groups such as Hot Chocolate, Volcanic Eruption and Seven Miles High. In 1977, he released the solo album, “The Conveyer,” on his own SMH label. Ragland also recorded singles for Amy and Warner Brothers. In February 2013, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hosted and live-streamed “An Evening with Lou Ragland” hosted by Carlo Wolff, author of Cleveland Rock & Roll Memories.

Ragland was born July 18, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. He inherited a love of music from his parents, and as a youngster he learned to play alto sax, clarinet and tuba. In high school, he formed The Monclairs vocal group and got his first professional break when he joined the backing band of vocalist Kim Tolliver. Ragland went on to start his own group, and he released his first record as Lou Ragland and The Bandmasters. 

After performing with Billy Ward & the Dominos, Ragland became friends with another up and coming Cleveland soul singer, Edwin Starr. When Starr’s career took off, he helped Ragland land a contract with Bell Records, which in 1967 released "I Travel Alone.” The record failed to become a major hit, but became a favorite of British aficionados of Northern Soul and solidified Ragland’s reputation with R&B fans. And although a breakthrough hit always eluded him, Ragland recorded multiple singles and albums during his career which earned him a loyal following in the United States and England.

Ragland is survived by Stella Ragland, his wife of 27 years, eight children and numerous grandchildren. Plans for a memorial service are pending.

###

NEWS CONTACT:

Clinton Ford Billups Jr., NCOPM
Personal Manager for The World Famous Ink Spots
Office: 702-837-1170
Mobile: 702-466-7319
Email: Clinton@PersonalManager.Vegas

And here is an interview with Lou, conducted by Steve Hobbs on Soul Bowl, Jazz FM (#11 May 1990).  It is in two parts and the interview is interspersed with tracks Since You Said You'd Be Mine, What The Doctor Prescribed, What Should I Do, Didn't I Tell You, Making Love, Thank You Father, Just For You (Bobby Jonz) and Romancin' You.   

Soul-Bowl-11-Part-One.mp3

Soul-Bowl-11-Part-Two.mp3

Thanks to Mike for the technical advice. (I hope it works.)