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Article: Sam Cooke gets his due at long last // The life of the legendary soul singer recalled on vinyl, and soon, on film
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- March 2, 1986
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright (null) Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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HOLLYWOOD Sam Cooke's story is a screen writer's dream, so it is not
surprising that a film is planned. The question is: Why it has taken
more than 20 years for the project to become reality?
The delay is tied in large part to the timing and circumstances
of Cooke's death (he was killed in 1964 in a Los Angeles motel), but
also to the strange duality of Cooke's career.
While he produced crossover pop hits such as "Cupid" and "Only
Sixteen" for the mass (white) radio audience, he was playing black
clubs in the South, laying the blueprint for modern soul music.
Just when he was beginning to be recognized for his artistry and
was about to unveil his soul side for TV and white club ...