Sam Cooke
- Born:
- January 22, 1931, Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
- Died:
- December 11, 1964, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur
Early Life and Education
- Born Samuel Cook, later added the 'e' to his last name.
- Moved to Chicago with his family as a child.
- Began singing gospel music with his siblings in The Singing Children.
- Became the lead singer of the popular gospel group The Soul Stirrers.
Career and Major Achievements
- Crossed over to secular music in 1957 with the hit song "You Send Me."
- Became a major pop and soul star in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
- Founded his own record label, SAR Records, and publishing company, Kags Music.
- Fought for greater control over his music and finances.
- Authored or co-authored many of his hit songs.
Notable Works
Discography (Selected Albums)
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Sam Cooke | Keen |
| 1960 | Cooke's Tour | RCA Victor |
| 1963 | Night Beat | RCA Victor |
| 1964 | Ain't That Good News | RCA Victor |
Hit Songs (Selected)
- "You Send Me"
- "Chain Gang"
- "Twistin' the Night Away"
- "Another Saturday Night"
- "A Change Is Gonna Come"
Legacy and Impact
Sam Cooke is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential soul singers of all time. His smooth vocals, songwriting talent, and business acumen paved the way for many future artists. While speculation about a hypothetical 'sam cooke biography movie posters' release has circulated among fans for decades, to date, no official biopic has been produced.