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Sam Cooke Tribute Plans Finalized! It'll be a weekend no true "Cookie" would dare miss! Go to this website for Schedule of Events, Pricing, and Reservation information. The Fourth Annual Sam Cooke Tribute more » Radio Interview with author Erik
Greene listen »
Family Memories of Sam "Even as a little boy, I remember the incredible magnetism Sam had. Everyone wanted to get a piece of him. People just wanted to touch him, to get next to him. You could never get enough of Sam because so many people wanted him." "I didn't have any fear whatsoever when he was around. He made me feel just that comfortable and confident. He made me want to do things to impress him" "Sam was always good to me, always treated me like his son. Sam was the only man I ever called Dad." —Sam's stepson, Joe Cook. "The Regal was the theatre for Black performers in Chicago. Whenever Sam performed, we went. Sometimes we'd go every day the show was going on. The people knew us backstage. We'd knock on the door, Sam would let us in, and we'd stay. Sometimes they'd have to tell Sam 'time for you to change', because he'd be back there spending time with us. Other performers would come in and say 'hi', but Sam's time was mostly spent with us." —Sam's niece, Doncella remembering their days at the Regal Theatre.
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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 song's 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 he'd release, I'll 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 I'll 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. Blessed with a keen sense of vision and foresight, 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. "There was a tremendous amount of love and closeness in the Cook family," Sam's 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 wasn't 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." For years, music fans around the globe thought they knew the story behind the man and his music. 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 religion—a side of Sam Cooke few of his fans ever knew existed.
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