Some of the greatest advancements in modern music are credited to an artist who died over 40 years ago, yet only lived to be 33Sam Cooke. Unlike many artists who have come and gone, Cookes silky voice, dashing smile, and laundry list of hit records have managed to withstand the test of time. And so have his many memorable achievements.
After six years as the reigning voice in gospel music, Cooke burst onto the pop scene with the 1957 release of his million-selling single, You Send Me. The songs innovative blend of Gospel, Pop, and R&B earned him the title of The Man Who Invented Soul and stayed on the charts an amazing 26 weeks, rising to #1 in both the Pop and R&B markets. The next single hed release, Ill Come Running Back to You, soared to #1 on the R&B charts as well. Cooke would eventually chart an amazing 34 Top 40 R&B hits over his eight year pop career, with most like You Send Me and Ill Come Running Back to You written by Sam himself. Cooke also wrote and recorded such classics as Chain Gang, Only Sixteen, Cupid, Wonderful World, Having a Party and A Change is Gonna Come, and was among the original inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sam Cooke is remembered as a pioneer both socially and musically. In addition to being an accomplished singer, songwriter and producer, he was remembered as the first artist to take a political stand and refuse to sing to segregated audiences.
He also recognized the politics of the music industry early in his career. At a time when record labels often left even the most talented and successful artist broke and penniless, Sam Cooke was one of the first artists, black or white, to buck the system and demand ownership of his career. He signed an unprecedented deal with RCA in 1960 after coming to the agreement they let him retain control of the copyrights to his music.
From a business aspect, Sam Cooke was one of the first artists to capitalize on the crossover appeal of popular music by intentionally recording songs that targeted both the black and white markets. He was the first African-American artist to own a record label, and he established his own management company and music publishing company as well. Even more remarkable, he did all of these things before his 34th birthday.
Sam Cooke adopted his winning attitude from his strict but loving father, the late Rev. Charles Cook, Sr., who taught his children to never give less than their best effort and stressed the importance of family unity. Cooke was driven by this determination to excel implanted in him at an early age, and in Sams eyes, family took a back seat to no one. My mother and father were both family oriented, and they instilled in us all for one and one for all, Sams youngest sister Agnes remembers. We were a very tight, close-knit family. If you had a problem with one of us, you had a problem with all of us.
There was a tremendous amount of love and closeness in the Cook family, Sams ex-sister-in-law Phyllis Cook observed. Sam, as well as all of the Cook children, came from a strong man and strong woman that instilled that kind of love. It wasnt just Sam that sang, (all of the kids) did, but because he pursued it further, they all supported him. Whatever he needed, they were there for support.
The general public knew Sam Cooke as a singer, songwriter, and producer whose musical style has often been imitated but never equaled. But before the Soul superstar ever set foot on a stage, the template of his success was molded in a household filled with love, respect, and the spirit of religiona side of Sam Cooke few of his fans knew existed.
Erik Greene is the grandson of Sams oldest sister, Mary. Our Uncle Sam: The Sam Cooke Story From His Familys Perspective can be ordered through www.ourunclesam.com or by calling (888) 232-4444 toll-free in the USA and Canada.
Erik Greene is a Financial Advisor by trade who lives in Chicago's South Suburbs with his wife, Augustine. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, traveling, and attending local sporting events (Go White Sox!).
