Young and handsome with a beautiful voice, Sam Cooke may have been the finest soul singer of all time. Here are three songs from different periods in his career:In 1950, a teenage Sam Cooke became the lead singer of the landmark gospel ensemble the Soul Stirrers. Here they are performing live.
Nearer to Thee |
By 1960, Sam Cooke had crossed over (at first with the alias Dale Cooke). He was singing downtown soul, like this one with Lou Rawls providing backup.
Bring it on Home to Me |
In 1964, Sam Cooke was shot during a strange and sordid night in a cheap motel in Los Angeles. His death disillusioned many of his listeners as much as Kennedy’s or King’s would in the years to come. Cooke had represented innocence and hope. All that ended with his death.
Shortly after his death, Sam Cooke's final recording was released. Before he died, Cooke had heard Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind. He was ashamed that he had been writing popular love songs while a white man had composed the most definitive song of the Civil Rights Movement. In response he wrote this song.
A Change is Gonna Come |