The King Of Soul

Sam Cooke was the most important soul singer in history, along with being the inventor of soul music, African American singer Sam Cooke was the most popular and beloved performer in both the black and white communities during his times.

He reinvented himself as a romantic crooner in the manner of Nat King Cole. His strength was in his smoothness. He wrote many of his best songs himself, including his first hit, the ethereal "You Send Me," which shot to number one on all charts in 1957 and established Cooke as a superstar.

One of the most important songs that Sam Cooke ever wrote was "A Change Is Gonna Come." In 1963, as he was writing his RCA album Ain't That Good News, Cooke was in a transition moment.

Sadly he was not able to be here, and see how popular his music has become and how big A Change Is Gonna Come has become.