Remembering Sam Cooke 50 Years After His Death

[JI7]

<Sam Cooke died 50 years ago this week, an anniversary that is receiving little or no organized fanfare. It’s not that Cooke is entirely forgotten: His 1960 hit “(What A) Wonderful World” – “Don’t know much about history…” – has been streamed more than 15 million times on Spotify, and his reading of his civil-rights anthem “A Change Is Gonna Come” is approaching 10 million streams on the service.

Considering Cooke was at work in popular music at the same time as James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Etta James, Little Willie John and Little Richard, among others, it may seem dubious to claim he was the greatest of his era, but few would’ve thought it outrageous a half-century ago. Between 1957 and after his death at age 33, Cooke had 30 hits on the Billboard singles charts including “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” “Cupid,” “Twistin’ the Night Away,” “Bring It On Home to Me” and “Another Saturday Night” – all of which he wrote.

On stage, he conveyed cool confidence, which in its quiet, sensuous way was every bit as dynamic as the sweat-dripping performances of his contemporary, the great Jackie Wilson. Aware his music appealed equally to both white and African-American audiences, Cooke sought the status not of his R&B counterparts, but mainstream stars Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis and Frank Sinatra. Taking the long view, he ran his own record label, owned his publishing rights, composed for other singers and employed the best musicians regardless of race. “I have organized my career on a business-like basis,” he told the Pittsburgh Courier in 1960.

ubjected often to racism, in time Cooke came to refuse to perform before segregated audiences, following the lead of Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, McPhatter and others. After the August 1963 march on Washington that featured Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and performances by Marian Anderson and Mahalia Jackson, Cooke, inspired in part by Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” wrote “A Change is Gonna Come.” He sang it once in public: On “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” Two days later, the Beatles made their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” an event that elbowed aside soul and R&B for many American music fans.>

one of my favorites is his version of Tennessee Waltz

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/12/09/remembering-sam-cooke-50-years-after-his-death/

[malaise]

1. Thanks for this thread

There's a lovely book by Mike Marqusee about the great Sam Cooke and much more -called Redemption Song.

I grew up with Sam Cooke.

[busterbrown]

2. What a Voice..

So smooth...Thanks for the post...

[John1956PA]

4. Thanks.

. . .

[BeyondGeography]

5. Sentimental Reasons

What's great as well is his original work with the Soul Stirrers. I have this LP called The Two Sides of Sam Cooke that I used to wear out something fierce. It's always a pleasure to go back to Sam.

[INdemo]

6. WOW !! One can certainly tell this post ann comments so far

has consisted of "Baby Boomers"
Yep,Sam Cooke was one of my favorites I used play his "45"s over and over on the record player with the cylinder deal centered. Remember those ?

[JI7]

13. i'm later than the boomers

but still love his music. and it's far superior to much the recent stuff mainstream media puts out.

[whathehell]

7. I remember him..He was great.

His rendition of "You Send Me" will never stop sending ME to great mental & emotional places.

A great singer with a voice for the ages!

[logosoco]

8. Even though he was ending his time here as I was just beginning mine, I have

always listened to his music. Recently I have been adding his work to my ipod, and I feel like I am just now really appreciating it, maybe that's just what people do as they get old! But, wow, his voice is just amazing. Sometimes I just sit still and listen, and it's like his voice touches just the very spot where the human ability to love music is at.
Sad he had to pass at such a young age, but how wonderful that his gift will live on...

[Scarsdale]

9. Talent

Now THAT is real talent. He had a great voice, and talent to spare. Taken too soon, he had much to give. Some of today's "entertainers" should listen to what real singing sounds like, not screeching. Great music.

[djean111]

10. Sam Cooke's butter-smooth "Summertime" puts all the bombastic and screeching and writhing

on the floor versions to shame. IMO, of course.

This was used on the beginning teasers for that (excellent, again IMO) series The Glades. Stopped me in my tracks.
Yeah, I am a Boomer. Loved all of Sam's songs.

[Lars39]

11. Puts Sinatra's timing to shame!

Dang, that's sublime.

[raccoon]

12. Great singer. His murder was a great loss. I wonder why nobody's ever made a movie about him. nt

[Are_grits_groceries]

14. Oh man! The sweet sounds of my youth.

Sam Cooke was the best in every way!
He puts others to shame.
Miss him!