HWOF

Sam Cooke in studio, 1963.

Source: Wikipedia

Samuel Cook, (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964), better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and influence on the modern world of music. His contribution in pioneering soul music led to the rise of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and popularized the likes of Otis Redding and James Brown.

• Birth name: Samuel Cook
• Also known as: Dale Cook
• Born: January 22, 1931 Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
• Origin: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Died: December 11, 1964 (aged 33) Los Angeles, California, U.S. Interred: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California
• Genres: R&B, soul, gospel, pop, jazz
• Occupations: Singer-songwriter, entrepreneur
• Instruments: Vocals, piano, guitar
• Years active: 1940–1964
• Labels: Specialty, Keen, RCA
• Associated acts: The Singing Children, The Highway Q.C.'s, The Soul Stirrers, J. W. Alexander, Lou Rawls, Bobby Womack

Read more about Sam Cooke at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database

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