Samuel “Sam” Cooke
(January 22,1931 – December11,1964)
was an American recording artist and singer-songwriter, generally considered among the greatest of all time.
Influential as both a singer and composer, he is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocals and importance within popular music. His pioneering contributions to soul music contributed to the rise of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Billy Preston and popularized the likes of Otis Redding and James Brown. AllMusic biographer Bruce Eder wrote that Cooke was “the inventor of soul music”, and possessed “an incredible natural singing voice and a smooth, effortless delivery that has never been surpassed.”
Cooke had 30 U.S. top 40 hits between 1957 and 1964, plus three more posthumously. Major hits like “You Send Me”, “A Change Is Gonna Come”, “Cupid”, “Chain Gang”, “Wonderful World”, and “Twistin’ the Night Away” are some of his most popular songs. Cooke was also among the first modern black performers and composers to attend to the business side of his musical career. He founded both a record label and a publishing company as an extension of his careers as a singer and composer. He also took an active part in the Civil Rights Movement.
On December 11, 1964, at the age of 33, Cooke was fatally shot by Bertha Franklin, the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California. After an inquest, the courts ruled Cooke’s death to be a justifiable homicide. Since that time, the circumstances of his death have been consistently called into question by Cooke’s family and his wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Wiki
Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come:
I listened to Sam Cooke as a teenager. I loved his songs then and I still do. I love your music AOC.
Same here. Cooke’s songs are very sentimental. I was shocked at his death. Thanks for enjoying AOC’s shares and experiencing the Sam Cooke journey with us. Your visit and feedback are greatly appreciated. Happy Mid week to you.🍮🍮🎶
Hi AOC. I have listened to Sam Cooke’s song as a soundtrack for films that I love and remember. He has a special sentimental voice. Cooke is a legend.
Thanks for your kind appreciative comment. Best regards and wishes to your having an enjoyable week!💿🎶
Another star extinguished too soon. But I loved that song “A Change is Going to Come”. Billy Preston did his rendition of it. It was pretty good. Blessings and Peace.
Hello cf! Hope you are enjoying a blessed day. Sam Cooke is the most popular., sentimental version and the version used as historic themes in sorrow that happened here in the USA. It is not that the other renditions are not good, in fact, they all re! Cheers!💫💕