Sam Cooke, also known as the "King of Soul," was a pioneer in the music industry and played a pivotal role in the "crossing over" of black artists into mainstream white audiences. Born in 1931 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Cooke grew up in Chicago and began his singing career as a member of the gospel group the Soul Stirrers.
In the 1950s, Cooke made the transition from gospel to secular music and quickly became one of the most successful R&B artists of the time. His smooth, soulful voice and catchy pop-influenced sound helped him appeal to both black and white audiences, and he became one of the first black artists to cross over into mainstream success.
One of Cooke's most notable achievements was the release of his hit single "You Send Me" in 1957, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and made him the first black artist to top the chart with a song written by himself. This marked a significant moment in the music industry, as it showed that black artists were capable of producing and performing music that could appeal to a wide range of audiences, not just those within their own racial group.
Cooke's success in crossing over to mainstream audiences was not without controversy, however. Some criticized him for leaving the gospel music scene and for incorporating more pop and mainstream elements into his music, arguing that he was selling out and compromising his artistic integrity. Despite these criticisms, Cooke's talent and ability to connect with listeners of all backgrounds helped him to become a trailblazer and an important figure in the history of popular music.
In addition to his music career, Cooke was also a civil rights activist and used his platform to speak out against racial injustice. He was a member of the board of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and used his influence to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for black Americans.
Sam Cooke's legacy as a talented musician and civil rights activist continues to inspire and influence artists today. His pioneering efforts in crossing over into mainstream success paved the way for other black artists to follow in his footsteps and helped to break down barriers in the music industry.
Sam Cooke
He had the courage to take an open stand against racism, refusing to perform at a segregated venue in the south and garnering the support of Dick Clark. Sam Cooke accomplished what no other black performer had ever even attempted, founding his own music publishing and record label, opening doors for and writing material for other artists — mentoring Aretha Franklin and launching Otis Redding. Whatever game he played, Cooke had a poker face. That role was cut short when Cooke was shot and killed outside a Watts motel room in December 1964, a sad finale to a life that had been blessed with a remarkable musical gift. Professionally, things continued to come easily to Cooke.
Like its subject, ‘Sam Cooke: Crossing Over’ keeps a lot hidden
American Masters Sam Cooke: Crossing Over premiering nationally, Monday, January 11, 2010 at 9 p. Women began to flock to concerts to experience Sam, not Jesus! Had he lived, you can easily imagine him flourishing artistically right up to the present. Who else besides an American Master can make such claims? Professionally, things continued to come easily to Cooke. Antonelli is hampered by a lack of outstanding footage. The motel was at 9137 S. The New York accountant and business manager was known for an aggressive style that contributed to the breakup of At first, Antonelli approached Klein, after reading the 1995 Antonelli said he hit the low point sometime shortly after that when he and a film crew spent an afternoon in a Detroit restaurant waiting for He was at the wedding of fellow filmmaker Many subjects wouldn't talk Even then, although Cooke's sister, Agnes, since deceased, and brother Charles did sit for interviews, his other brother, L. But, his story ends abruptly at the height of his success when, at the age of 32 in 1964, he was, inexplicably, gunned down and killed in the company of a prostitute — leaving a profound legacy filled with extraordinary talent — and all the questions about what might have been.
TV review: 'Sam Cooke: Crossing Over'
Antonelli included a pair of short pieces of filmed testimony from the coroner's inquest that are among the film's most enduring images. Teaming up with Rick Roper, a childhood friend as a co-producer, Antonelli found great personal meaning and satisfaction in bringing the documentary in for a landing after overcoming a formidable adversary in Allen Klein just to get as far as he did. Cooke was his era's most charismatic vocalist. He was only 33 when he died, in 1964, shot by a motel night clerk under circumstances that remain disputed. Even better is seeing his poise discomfit the always unflappable Dick Clark during an interview. Women began to flock to concerts to experience Sam, not Jesus! But the best way to understand him is put him in a context.
Sam Cooke: Crossing Over/(2009)
He was far from an open book. Sam Cooke put the spirit of the black church into popular music, creating a new American sound and setting into motion a chain of events that forever altered the course of popular music and race relations in America. His story ends abruptly at the height of his success when, at the age of 32 in 1964, he was, inexplicably, gunned down and killed in the company of a prostitute, leaving a profound legacy filled with extraordinary talent — and all the questions about what might have been. Klein, who died last year of Alzheimer's disease at age 77, was a jealous, fierce guardian of the Cooke estate. He came closest with Chain Gang, observed and written during the Civil Rights era and with the poignant, biting lyrics and melody of A Change is Gonna Come in 1962, fashioned out of the depth of personal pain and loss. Sam Cooke accomplished what no other black performer had ever even attempted, founding his own music publishing and record label, opening doors for and writing material for other artists — mentoring Aretha Franklin and launching Otis Redding. Who else besides an American Master can make such claims? In combining two worlds, his constant challenge was to sing meaningful lyrics with the fervor of gospel and the romance of pop.
