Since the President and First Lady are giving tribute to Motown for "Black History Month," I thought I'd give a little tribute to Sam Cooke. What people seem to forget is that Sam Cooke was the first black soul singer to own his own record company and that he paved the way in the music industry for entrepreneurs like Berry Gordy and cleared the way for other black singers.
Cooke was born in 1931 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. His father was a preacher. When Cooke hit the music scene he had a choir boy image and was one of the best soul singers who ever lived. Muhammad Ali was one of his closest friends. He grew up poor and used singing as his hustle to make a few nickels here and there. As a professional singer, he had one hit after another and was very popular at the time. A few of his songs, for example, “Chain Gang” and “A Change Gone Come” were songs about Jim Crow, but Cooke made them soulful hits. He was active in the Civil Rights Movement.
Cooke’s death shocked the nation because he was murdered in a motel and the circumstances surrounding his murder were rather unpleasant and tragic. He was thirty-three when he died. Nevertheless, the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death still raise questions to this day. Two funerals were held for Cooke in which around 100,000 people showed up to moan and pay their respects. One well-known celebrity that sung at his funeral was Ray Charles. Cooke was loved by his fans.
23 comments:
granny, what were those unpleasant tragic circumstances that surrounded his murder?
Anonymous 9:06:
You didn't click on the link highlighted in yellow and read it? It'll tell you the controversy surrounding his death.
I remember listening to Sam Cooke when I was a kid, my parents loved him.
I actually listened to A Change Gone Come earlier today. It's funny how I seem to listen to just as much of my parents music as I do from artists of my own generation.
The real tragedy is that there aren't singers like this anymore...it's sad that these young people today think these fools now can sing.
Dear Granny, I read the link, thanks. It's too bad Cooke was an alcoholic and the manager of the hotel had to shoot him. He had a great voice.
Anybody who knew the respected and revered MacDaddy from blogspot remembers how he told this whole story to us. . . thanks for the reminder and getting me thinking about my old friend MacDaddy, aka Mac Walton. I miss him a lot.
Hi Granny, hope you're doing well. Take care .
man, it's hard to get in touch with granny. i never know when she is going to show up or when she leaves. all i want to do is take her to a nice McDonalds restaurant(the high classy kind) but i can never catch up with her.
This post is old as hell. must have gotten busted in that casino raid.
Anonymous, you're such a ball of fun! Spreading mirth wherever you go!
It's been weeks since Granny has answered one of my comments. This is getting to be damn near stressful.
Granny, please come back to your own blog. I promise not to ask you for a date. I'll wait until YOU ask me out.
Sister Granny.... Hi... good to see you still spraeding thoughtful delights.
Granny, where the heck are you? It's been a month since you have posted. the world is falling apart just like it said in Revelations. Are you all right?
Is your health ok?
hello? knock, knock. Hello, Granny? you home?
Granny:
I still love you and there is NOTHING you can do about it.
I see you haven't posted in a while and I hope that you are alright.
I sought out your blog in order to see your opinion on the American bombing of Libya.
I hope that you will document your position on this matter.
Peace.
I'm worried about Granny.
"I'm worried about Granny."
Yeah, me too.
Well, it's Good Friday and still no sign of Granny. I think I'll take a trip to Oakland and checkup on Granny. I know she will be at church this Sunday.
Phoebe Snow died. Can you post something about her? maybe a video of her?
granny, fyi. osama bin laden was killed today. thought you would like to know since you are out of the loop.
I agree. Sam Cooke was one of my favorites back in the day......
Oh, my heart aches that OBL was killed.
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