Sam Cooke

Samuel Cooke was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur commonly known as the 'King of Soul' for his distinctive vocal delivery and foundational contribution to soul music. Beginning his career as the charismatic lead singer of the gospel group The Soul Stirrers, Cooke crossed over to secular pop in 1957 with the number-one smash 'You Send Me'.

With his silky smooth melismatic vocals and sharp songwriting craft, Cooke produced a string of timeless hits including 'Chain Gang', 'Cupid', and 'Twistin' the Night Away'. Cooke was also a fearless trailblazer for Black economic empowerment, founding his own record label (SAR Records) and publishing firm. Inspired by Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' in the Wind', Cooke composed 'A Change Is Gonna Come' (1964), the definitive hymn of the American Civil Rights Movement.