Written task introduction

Today on ‘RollingStone’ we have a special guest with us ready to share his biography and what drove him into being an influential pop/ R&B singer. Sometimes they call him the father of soul music; he’s the one and only Sam Cooke. He reached the top of the charts in 1957 with his ever first songs "You Send Me." Afterwards a thread of pop and R&B hits/ albums soon followed. Sam Cook was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he grew up in Chicago as the son of a minister. It was Cooke's hope to cross over to the white audience more carefully, and open up doors for the black performers.

What are your careers highlights?

“After six years with the Soul Stirrers, I began to branch out into earthly music. That’s right! I recorded my first single in 1957 called "Lovable”. Later that year, I released first number one hit, "You Send Me." Music fans loved this song, or as they like to call it the magical poem, since the words I sing come out so tender and loving which makes everyone just want to sit down and listen for a few calm moments. This number one song of mine is so extremely good that it actually collapsed Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" from the top of the charts. I even put my crystal-clear, velvet-smooth voice to work on such up-tempo tunes as "Only Sixteen" and ‘Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha.’”

What is the meaning behind your wonderful songs?

“I write my songs as a sign of protest against equality and as songs to support the civil rights movement to help black Americans fight for equality. My songs also are a need to write something that is more direct and addresses my experiences as a black man in America. One of my top hits that express the theme of the civil rights movement is resulted in  "A Change Is Gonna Come," a soaring encapsulation of the African-American struggle.”

Can you maybe speak more about how you came up with "A Change Is Gonna Come"?

After hearing the song "Blowing in the wind" by Bob Dylan I got really inspired and thought that protest songs that should come out of the black community should be presented more often. So, I decided to grant what I thought would change the racial community. (I actually did think to myself "Since when do white boys make music like that?"). Therefore, I rose to the artistic challenge presented by that song and I just met with my own single "A Change Is Gonna Come".

Who is the audience to your artistic music?

“Oh, yes! My admirers and fans! I wanted to sing and reach out to everyone all groups of people. I wanted to express my racial identity without offending whites. At that time, most records by black artists were not played on radio stations that had white listeners. So, I left the gospel music world where I was extremely popular with blacks. But the move was not a mistake. I soon became a big star singing pop music.”

I know this is going to be a cliché question that most artists hear! But I need to ask you this, what is your style like in your appearances?

“Hahahahaha… That is a question I always enjoy answering! I always like wearing patterned pants, with some pretty amazing jean-like pockets. They need to be as bold as can be, and the weird thing is that they hardly look out of place. My navy blazer, stark white shirt, and dark tie all serve as able complements, but none those components of my creative style are fighting for the spotlight. Oh, and even though it doesn't really shift the balance of the outfit, the last finishing touch would be the tie tuck.”

Sitting down with Sam Cooke has been one of my dreams! I am so pleased we had you hear with us tonight in this informative interview. It certainly revealed a side of you many young people and developing artists have not seen.

As Sam Cooke describes his fame life and the struggles of being a black artist in the industry, it is clear that the singer does not have any seeming future goals in his life and is gratified with hi life decisions to change peoples views on African Americans.