In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist’s who are in My “Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time” Poll.
Born Samuel Cook (he added an “E” later in life) on 22nd January 1931, He was a Singer/Songwriter who also Played the Piano and Guitar.
He was also considered as the “Pioneer” of Soul Music!
He was Born in “Clarksville” Mississippi to the Reverend Charles Cooke and Annie Mae Cook and 1 of 8 Sibling’s, the Family moved to Chicago in 1933, when Sam Cook was 2 Years old.
Sam Cook began Singing with his Family at the Age of 9, they were Called “The Singing Children” by the age of 14 He was the Lead Singer with a Band called “Highway QC’s”
by 1950 Sam Cook was the Lead singer with “Soul Stirrers”, they Sung and Wrote Gospel Music.
It wasn’t until 1956 that Sam Cook Released His First Pop Single called “Loveable” but it was Under the Alias of “Dale Cook”
The following Year of 1957, Sam Cooke had His First Big hit Record “You Send Me” Reaching Number 1 on the US R&B Charts for 6 weeks and Number 1 on the US Billboard Chart, for 3 weeks!
Sam Cooke was one of the First “Black men” to handle all His Business affairs and Dealings, in fact He even started His Own Record Label “Sar Records” in 1961, He was also Active in “The Civil Rights Movement”
On the Night of 11th December 1964, Sam Cooke, who was aged 33 years was Shot Dead, depending what you Read and where you Read it, there are a Few Differing Stories as to What lead up to His Death!
But whatever happened before hand, it all Ended up with the same Outcome, The Motel Manageress where he was Staying the Night, Shot Him in the Chest, at least 2 Times, Killing Sam Cooke Instantly!
Another thing that is Hard to work out concerning “Sam Cooke” is His Discography, I have looked at several Different Sources and come up with the following:
Sam Cooke Discography
18 Albums, Before His Death…..15 After His Death
36 Singles, Before His Death……8 After His Death
77 Compilation Albums in Total.
His Best Ever Selling Single was “You Send Me” Reaching Number in both US Charts, as well as Reaching Number 29 in UK Pop Charts.
In Fact, out of All the Singles released by “Sam Cooke” in the US, all but 3 made the Pop Charts.
My Favorite “Sam Cooke” Track has to be the Marvellous “A Change Is Gonna Come” what a great Record this is, it apparently was His answer to the Track by Bob Dylan, “Blowing In The Wind” Both Tracks were Concerning “Racism” in the US at that time!
The Track was Voted as the Number 12 on the “Greatest Songs of all Time” Top 500 Chart in the “Rolling Stone Magazine”
Checkout the Lyrics!
Sam Cooke’s Greatest Tracks
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