Sam Cooke (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964) RCA Victor Records, Billboard Magazine.
If Sam Cooke was still alive today, he would be 87 years old. The legendary soul singer is responsible for composing and performing one of the most definitive tunes of the civil rights era, “A Change Is Gonna Come”, from his 1964 album Ain’t That Good News.
Sam Cooke was motivated to compose “A Change Is Gonna Come” after listening to Bob Dylan’s 1963 classic protest tune, “Blowin’ In the Wind”. If a white man could compose a deeply moving civil rights anthem then surely an immensely talented singer-songwriter who has been a victim of bigotry, should be able to tap into that personal experience to compose his own timely anthem. Cooke definitely succeeded. Cooke returned to his gospel roots to compose and record a goosebump inducing anthem of hope. The song remains relevant and could apply to any human struggle or oppression. If you keep preserving positive change will eventually happen.