Lou Ragland
Lou Ragland, Lawrence Maurice and George Hendricks (all Cleveland Men)
George taught Lou how to sing harmony and to belive that he could sing when Lou
would be in doubt when he first joined the Sahibs, (that's a fact!)
Lou Ragland was born July 18, 1942 in Cleveland Ohio. One of three
children born to Carey and Violet Ragland, Lou received his formal educa-
tion in his hometown of Cleveland. His parents encouraged and opened
their young minds to almost every cultural institution in the state of Ohio.
They were taken to plays, operas, parades, museums and conventions and
things of nature such as the beach, lakes, covered bridges, caves and parks.
Lou was introduced at a very early age to music and musical instru-
ments. The home was always filled with the sounds of the world’s greatest
performers of all time. Such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Bing
Crosby, Johnny Ray, Earl Grant, Ray Charles and composers such as
Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.
At the age of thirteen, Lou was even more inspired when he heard a song
played on the radio called “Goody, Goody”, sung by Frankie Lymon and the
Teenagers. From then on in school Lou learned to play any musical instru-
ment he could put his hands on. The tuba, clarinet and also sax just to
name a few. He also excelled in sports, especially track and won many
awards. While in school some of Lou’s constant companions were Wilkie,
& Abram Gibson, Ronnie, Jimmy and Leonard. Some of them eventually
sang in his very first group, “The Monclairs”.
Lou Ragland Cozy Ragland and Darnell Ragland, Father Daughter and son
Cozy Ragland and Lou Ragland (Daughter and Father) and they both can sing!
Daryl Ragland (grandson) Darnell Ragland (son) Lou Ragland (Father)
Three generations at Papa's Home In Las Vegas, Nevada. 2008
