Portrait of Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke

Origin: Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA Years: January 22, 1931 - December 11, 1964

Sam Cooke, born Samuel Cook, was an American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist who pioneered soul music and became one of most influential vocalists in American history. Beginning as gospel singer with The Soul Stirrers from 1950 to 1957, Cooke transitioned to secular music, recording 29 Top 40 hits including 19 Top 10 singles like 'You Send Me,' 'A Change Is Gonna Come,' and 'Bring It On Home to Me.' Known as 'King of Soul,' Cooke's smooth baritone and emotional delivery defined modern pop and R&B. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Hall of Fame honoree, Cooke founded SAR Records and wrote socially conscious anthems like 'A Change Is Gonna Come,' which became civil rights movement standard. His songs have sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

SoulGospelR&BPopDoo Wop

Discography Overview

During his recording career from 1951 to 1964, Cooke released over 100 songs across Specialty, RCA Victor, and his own SAR Records, with 29 charting on Billboard's Hot 100, 19 reaching Top 10, and 3 hitting number one: 'You Send Me' (1957), 'Chain Gang' (1960), and 'Twistin' the Night Away' (1962). His gospel period with The Soul Stirrers (1950-1957) produced spiritual classics before his secular breakthrough. Cooke founded SAR Records in 1961 to control his recordings and support other artists. His socially conscious song 'A Change Is Gonna Come' (1964) became anthem for civil rights movement and was inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame. Cooke was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. His recordings have sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

Key Albums

  • Sam Cooke (1957)
  • Encore (1958)
  • The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke (1960)
  • Cooke's Tour (1962)
  • Night Beat (1963)
  • Ain't That Good News (1964)

Key Songs

  • You Send Me
  • A Change Is Gonna Come
  • Bring It On Home to Me
  • Chain Gang
  • Cupid
  • Twistin' the Night Away
  • Another Saturday Night
  • Having a Party
  • Shake
  • Good Times
  • Wonderful World

Career Timeline

  1. 1930s Began singing in church choir and with family gospel group
  2. 1950 Joined The Soul Stirrers as lead singer; began gospel recording career
  3. 1951 Made first recordings with The Soul Stirrers; established reputation as gospel vocalist
  4. 1956 Left gospel music; signed with Specialty Records for secular recordings
  5. 1957 Released debut single 'You Send Me'; first number-one pop hit
  6. 1957 Released debut album 'Sam Cooke'; launched successful pop career
  7. 1958 Released 'Encore' album and 'For Sentimental Reasons'
  8. 1959 Released 'Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha' and 'Only Sixteen'
  9. 1960 Released 'Chain Gang'; became signature song and second number-one hit
  10. 1961 Founded SAR Records to control his recordings and support other artists
  11. 1962 Released 'Twistin' the Night Away'; third number-one hit
  12. 1962 Released 'Bring It On Home to Me' and 'Having a Party'
  13. 1963 Released 'Another Saturday Night' and 'Cupid'
  14. 1964 Released 'A Change Is Gonna Come'; socially conscious anthem and final recording
  15. 1964 Released final album 'Ain't That Good News'; died December 11, 1964 at age 33
  16. 1964 Shot and killed at Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles; death ruled homicide
  17. 1986 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  18. 1999 'A Change Is Gonna Come' inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
  19. 2022 Posthumously awarded Grammy Hall of Fame for 'You Send Me' and 'Bring It On Home to Me'

Influence Graph

How Sam Cooke sits in the influence chain

Influenced by

  • The Soul Stirrers
  • Mahalia Jackson
  • The Dixie Hummingbirds
  • Roy Hamilton
  • Gospel Quartets

Influenced

  • Otis Redding
  • Marvin Gaye
  • Sam And Dave
  • Aretha Franklin
  • Al Green
  • Rodney Crowell
  • John Legend

Similar Artists