Black History Icon: Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke (born Samuel Cook, 1/22/31) is known as a musical icon for his unique, soulful, yet delicate sound. He was born in Clarksdale, MS but grew up in Chicago, IL. Sam started singing when he was a child and went on to be a part of a group called the “Highway QC’s” as a young adult. After high school, he joined a popular gospel group known as the “Soul Stirrers.” Although they didn’t sing secular music, girls would flock into churches to hear the group perform and they enjoyed much success throughout the country.

In 1957, Sam decided to go pop, which wasn’t an easy decision, since the move from gospel to secular music was largely looked down upon by the church. However, Sam moved forward and became known for his sweet and endearing R&B love songs. A gifted writer, he authored many of his own hits. Sam's first number one was 1957’s “You Send Me.” Simply put, Sam’s delivery was pure and lovely. He made songs like “Desire Me” and “Cupid” so believable because you could hear his heart and soul ringing true through every word he uttered. It was the gentleness and vulnerability in his voice that caused the deep resonance of how he really wanted his love to feel for him, as he did for her. Sam's music was embraced by both black and white audiences.

Sam was a pioneer, establishing his own song publishing company, KAGS Music, in 1959. In a landmark move, he was able to negotiate an impressive contract with RCA records in 1960, in which he would obtain ownership of his master recordings after 30 years-a definite triumph for any artist in Sam’s era. He landed another hit that year with “Chain Gang,” a song that imitated the sound of inmates’ hammering rocks on the highway, indicating his social awareness. Sam and his producers, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore, actually posed in prison uniforms in promotion of the song.

Sam also founded his record label, SAR Records, in the early 1960’s. He signed and helped shape the careers of many black artists, producing for the Soul Stirrers, Billy Preston, Johnnie Taylor, Mel Carter, the Valentino’s and the Sims Twins. He was the forerunner for the countless number of black artists with their own labels today. Sam Cooke wasn’t just a visionary-his actions told the truth about who he was as a man. He had said “I’m going to help my people.” He was very much concerned about the plight of his brothers and sisters in the fight for justice and equality during the Civil Rights Movement. By embracing his cultural identity, Sam actually was the inspiration for other male R&B artists at the time, who started to wear their hair natural (in an afro) instead of in a “conk” or chemically-relaxed style.

Sam’s life was tragically cut short when he was shot by the manager (Bertha Franklin) of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, CA on 12/11/64. He had been out at a bar the night before where he met a woman named Elisa Boyer. In the early hours of December 11th, they had some sort of conflict, which led to Sam ending up in an altercation with the motel manager in the office. Bertha shot Sam (in what she claimed to be self-defense) and was found not guilty, as Sam’s death was ruled as a justifiable homicide. However, this devastating end couldn't negate Sam Cooke’s remarkable legacy.

In March of 1964, Sam’s arguably most poignant and directly political song, “A Change is Gonna Come,” was released on his album, “Ain’t That Good News.” Those who were a part of the Civil Rights Movement received it as their anthem. The song, which still holds true to this very day, was released shortly after Sam met with his friends, Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) after Clay’s victory against Sonny Liston (which made him the heavyweight champion of the world). Change is coming and we thank you Mr. Samuel Cook, for your indelible contribution.