‘The Commitments’ Screenwriters Turn In Script For Sam Cooke Biopic
By Russ Fischer/March 15, 2011 9:00 am EST
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The singer fused gospel and pop create a dynamic, original new R&B sound that was soon called soul. He was shot dead in 1964 at age 33, and the precise circumstances that led to his death have been the subject of debate for decades. Songs such as ‘Twistin’ the Night Away,’ ‘Only Sixteen’ and, perhaps most importantly, ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ were important elements of the new soul sound, and part of the soundtrack to the civil rights movement.
ABKCO owns Sam Cooke’s publishing rights and most of his master recordings; ABKCO CEO Jody Klein is producing the film and spearheading the search for a director.
If you don’t have or have never heard Sam Cooke’s Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963, run don’t walk to grab a copy. It is one of the best R&B/soul records ever made, and therefore one of the most danceable and satisfying records you can hear. As an introduction to the man and his music, you can’t do any better. As a mini-primer here’s ‘Shake,’ which was covered by a great many artists, most notably Sam Cooke fan and disciple Otis Redding.
This is a recollection of his early career from the American Masters site:
