Sam Cooke

Cooke was the most important soul singer in history, he also the founder of soul music, and one of the most popular and beloved performer in both the black and white communities of 20th century America. He was among the first modern black performers and composers to attend to the business side of the music business, and founded both a record label and a publishing company as an extension of his careers as a singer and composer. Yet, he still engaged in the struggle over civil rights. His own career bridged gaps between black and white audiences that few had tried to surmount. Cooke appealed to Americans of all ages and yet he never lost his credibility with his African American audience.

Cooke's lyrics were as inspiring to African Americans as they were to everyone in America. His new style of music was the new, exciting music that was needed in the time period.