Soul, Business, and Tragedy: The Sam Cooke Story

Two for Tuesday

Sam Cooke revolutionized American music as a pioneering artist who shaped soul music while building an unprecedented business empire during the segregation era. His distinctive tenor voice, songwriting genius, and business acumen made him a trailblazer whose influence extends from gospel to pop, leaving an indelible mark on music history despite his tragic death at just 33.
• Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1931 before his family moved to Chicago during the Great Migration
• Started singing at age six with his siblings in a group called the Singing Children
• Joined the elite gospel group The Soul Stirrers at 19, where church girls "swooned like they were at a rock concert"
• Transitioned to secular music in 1957 with "You Send Me," which topped both R&B and Pop charts
• Established his own record label (SAR Records), publishing company and management firm in 1961
• Recorded hit "Good Times" in 1964 with legendary studio musicians The Wrecking Crew
• Developed close friendships with Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and became increasingly politically active
• Died under controversial circumstances at a Los Angeles motel on December 11, 1964, at just 33 years old
• Left an enduring legacy that influenced countless artists from Aretha Franklin to John Legend
Check out the Spotify playlist with my favorite Sam Cooke songs, including some from his Soul Stirrers days. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, click the like button, and share with your music-loving friends.

Hear Michael's performance of these two songs on the 2nd Round Music YouTube channel
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Chapters

1. Sam Cooke: The King of Soul (00:00:00)

2. You Send Me: Sam's Breakthrough Hit (00:04:12)

3. Business Pioneer and Civil Rights Activist (00:08:11)

4. Good Times: The Laid-Back Groove (00:09:58)

5. The Mysterious Death at 33 (00:12:17)

6. Legacy and Impact on Music (00:16:24)