R.I.P. SAM COOKE
Sam Cooke was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on January 22nd, 1931. Motivated by the changing times, Sam Cooke used his platform to advocate for racial equality. His song “A Change Is Gonna Come” is considered an anthem for the civil rights era. Many artists, including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Rod Stewart, have cited him as an inspiration.
He had the rare honor of being twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1999, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
On this very day, December 11th 1964, Samuel Cook was fatally shot (at the Hacienda Motel) in Los Angeles, California. He was only 33 years old. In memory of his passing, exactly 60 years ago today, I’ve chosen a song that Rolling Stone magazine included on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All-Time”. If you’d like to have a listen, please click on the provided link. Released in September 1957, here’s the late, SAM COOKE, with “YOU SEND ME”….