- Born
- 22 January 1931, Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States
- First work
- 1951: Jesus Gave Me Water
- Peak
- 1957 to 1964 (estimated)
- Last work
- 1964: Shake
- Died
- 11 December 1964, Los Angeles, United States; aged 33; other
Sam Cooke
Music: singer, songwriter, United States
Samuel Cook, known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur celebrated as one of the pivotal architects of soul music. Rising to prominence with the gospel group The Soul Stirrers, he transitioned seamlessly into secular pop with his 1957 debut smash You Send Me. His silky, effortless vocal delivery and elegant phrasing produced an unbroken chain of classics that defined early 1960s rhythm and blues. An astute businessman who took control of his music rights, he also authored the monumental civil rights anthem A Change Is Gonna Come. His brilliant life ended abruptly when he was fatally shot in Los Angeles in December 1964.
Who else was born on 22 January or who died on 11 December.
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Signature works
- You Send Me song1957
- Wonderful World song1960
- Cupid song1961
- Bring It On Home to Me song1962
- Night Beat album1963
- A Change Is Gonna Come song1964
Honours
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 1986
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 1999
Groups: The Soul Stirrers.