What is Sam Cooke?
{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Sam Cooke | Img = Sam Cooke 2.jpg | Img_capt = | Img_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels --> | Landscape = | Background = solo_singer | Birth_name = Samuel Cook<ref name=britannica>{{cite web |url= http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/136091/Sam-Cooke |title=Sam Cooke |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica|Britannica online]] |accessdate=2008-09-28}}</ref> | Alias = Dale Cooke | birth_date = {{birth date|1931|1|22|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[Clarksdale, Mississippi|Clarksdale]], [[Mississippi]] | death_date = {{death date and age|1964|12|11|1931|1|22|mf=y}} | death_place = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]] | Origin = | Instrument = [[singer|Vocals]], [[piano]], [[guitar]] | Genre = [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[Gospel music|gospel]], [[Pop music|pop]] | Occupation = [[Singer-songwriter]] | Years_active = 1950–1964 | Label = [[Specialty Records|Specialty]], [[Keen Records|Keen]], [[RCA Records|RCA]] | Associated_acts = [[The Soul Stirrers]]<br />[[Bobby Womack]]<br />[[Johnnie Taylor]] | URL = | Current_members = | Past_members = | Notable_instruments = }} '''Sam Cooke''' (January 22, 1931–December 11, 1964) was an [[United States|American]] [[soul music|soul]] singer and songwriter. He was born '''Sam Cook''' but later changed the spelling of his name. He was very important and influential in the beginning of soul music.<ref>{{cite book |last=Appiah |first=Kwame Anthony |author2= Gates, Henry Louis |author3= Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. |title= Africana: An A-to-Z Reference of Writers, Musicians, and Artists of the African American Experience |url=https://archive.org/details/africanaartslett0000unse |publisher=Running Press |date=2004 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/africanaartslett0000unse/pag