Gospel Artist
Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Born Samuel Cook on January 22, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he was the son of a Bapti...
- Songs
- 45
- Albums
- 23
About Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Born Samuel Cook on January 22, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he was the son of a Baptist minister and began his musical career performing gospel music with his siblings in a group called the Singing Children. In 1950, he became the lead singer of the gospel group The Soul Stirrers, recording songs such as “Jesus Gave Me Water” and “Touch the Hem of His Garment.”
Cooke transitioned to a solo secular career in the late 1950s, signing with Keen Records. He quickly achieved major pop success with “You Send Me” and went on to record hits including “Chain Gang,” “Wonderful World,” “Cupid,” “Twistin’ the Night Away,” and the Civil Rights–era anthem “A Change Is Gonna Come.” His work helped define the sound of soul music, and he is often referred to as the “King of Soul” or the “Father of soul music.”
Beyond performing, Cooke was a pioneering entrepreneur. He was one of the first Black artists to establish his own record label, SAR Records, and his own music publishing company, Kags Music. These moves gave him control over his creative and financial work. Throughout his career, he consistently placed songs on the Billboard pop and R&B charts.
Cooke died on December 11, 1964, in Los Angeles, California. His legacy has been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a ranking of number 28 on Billboard magazine’s 2015 list of the “35 Greatest R&B Artists of All Time.”
Popular lyrics and videos
Top Sam Cooke Songs
More lyrics
More Sam Cooke Songs
