concert

ARCHIVE

TIMELINE

January 22, 1931
January 22, 1931

Sam Cook is born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to Rev. Charles and Annie Mae Cook
1933
1933

The Cook Family moves to Chicago, Illinois
1947
1947

Joins teenage gospel quartet the Highway QCs
Dec 1950
Dec 1950

Leaves the QCs to join the Soul Stirrers, one of the nation’s leading gospel quartets
Mar 1951
Mar 1951

“Peace In The Valley” b/w “Jesus Gave Me Water” release - Specialty
1951
1951

“Come, Let Us Go Back To God” b/w “Joy, Joy To My Soul” release - Specialty

“I’m Gonna Build On That Shore” b/w “Until Jesus Calls Me Home” release - Specialty
1952
1952

“How Far Am I from Canaan?” b/w “It Won’t Be Very Long” release - Specialty

“Just Another Day” b/w “Let Me Go Home” release - Specialty
1953
1953

“Jesus Paid The Debt” b/w “Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord” release - Specialty

“He’ll Welcome Me” b/w “End Of My Journey” release - Specialty
1954
1954

“He’s My Friend Until The End” b/w “Come And Go To That Land” release - Specialty

“Jesus, I’ll Never Forget” b/w “Any Day Now” release - Specialty
1955
1955

“Nearer To Thee” b/w “Be With Me Jesus” release - Specialty

“One More River” b/w “I’m So Glad” release - Specialty
1956
1956

“Wonderful” b/w “Farther Along” release - Specialty

“Touch The Hem Of His Garment” b/w “Jesus, Wash Away My Troubles” release - Specialty

Records first secular single “Lovable” under the pseudonym Dale Cook
1957
1957

Sam Cooke album release - Keen

Sam transitions to pop, records his composition “You Send Me” and adds an “e” to his last name

“You Send Me” hits #1 on Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Records Chart
Jan 31, 1957
Jan 31, 1957

“Lovable” b/w “Forever” release - Specialty
Sep 7, 1957
Sep 7, 1957

“You Send Me” b/w “Summertime” release - Keen
Nov 3, 1957
Nov 3, 1957

Sam makes his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. He sang the first line of “You Send Me” and was cut off due to the show running over time.
Nov 11, 1957
Nov 11, 1957

The Guy Mitchell Show appearance
Nov 18, 1957
Nov 18, 1957

“I’ll Come Running Back To You” b/w “Forever” release - Specialty
Dec 1, 1957
Dec 1, 1957

Returns to Ed Sullivan to perform “You Send Me” and “(I love You) For Sentimental Reasons” in full
Dec 2, 1957
Dec 2, 1957

First appears on American Bandstand and performs “You Send Me”

“For Sentimental Reasons” b/w “Desire Me” release - Keen
Dec 4, 1957
Dec 4, 1957

Appears on The Howard Miller Show to perform “You Send Me” and “For Sentimental Reasons"
1958
1958

Encore album release - Keen

March of Dimes public service announcement. Sam filmed a PSA in which he sang “Desire Me,” then spoke about polio victims and the need for people to contribute to the March of Dimes. He concluded the PSA by singing “For Sentimental Reasons.”

“Stealing Kisses” b/w “All Of My Life” release - Keen

“Love You Most Of All” b/w “Blue Moon” release - Keen

 
Jan 5, 1958
Jan 5, 1958

Appears on The Steve Allen Show to perform “You Send Me” and “Sentimental Reasons”
Jan 11, 1958
Jan 11, 1958

Appears on Dance Party with Pat Fagan
Jan 29, 1958
Jan 29, 1958

Appears on The Big Record to perform “You Send Me" and "I'll Come Running Back to You"
Feb 28, 1958
Feb 28, 1958

“I Don’t Want To Cry” b/w “That’s All I Need To Know” release - Specialty
Mar 2, 1958
Mar 2, 1958

Appears on The Steve Allen Show to perform “Ol’ Man River”
Mar 6, 1958
Mar 6, 1958

Performs at the legendary Copacabana in NYC
Mar 22, 1958
Mar 22, 1958

Appears on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Show
Mar 24, 1958
Mar 24, 1958

“You Were Made For Me” b/w “Lonely Island” release - Keen
Mar 29, 1958
Mar 29, 1958

Appears on The Jimmy Dean Show
July 4, 1958
July 4, 1958

Appears on “Strictly Informal” hosted by Larry Finley to perform “Win Your Love For Me.” Sam was presented with an award from Finley as the “Brightest Young Singing Talent to Grace the Airwaves of KTLA for 1958.” 
July 7, 1958
July 7, 1958

Appears on The Johnny Otis Show
Aug 25, 1958
Aug 25, 1958

“Win Your Love” b/w “Houseboat” release - Keen

Appears on In Town Tonight, hosted by Jim Conway
Oct 6, 1958
Oct 6, 1958

Appears on The Arthur Murray Party to perform “Mary, Mary Lou”
Oct 11, 1958
Oct 11, 1958

Appears on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Show
Dec 29, 1958
Dec 29, 1958

“Love You Most Of All” hits 26 on Billboard Hot 100
1959
1959

Marries Barbara Campbell

Hit Kit compilation album release - Keen

Establishes own publishing company (KAGS Music) and his own record label (SAR Records)

“Everybody Likes To Cha Cha Cha” b/w "Little Things You Do” release - Keen

“There I’ve Said It Again” b/w “One Hour Ahead of the Posse” release - Keen

“Ain’t Nobody’s Business” b/w “No One” release - Keen
Jan 11, 1959
Jan 11, 1959

Appears on Buddy Bregman's Music Shop
Mar 14, 1959
Mar 14, 1959

Appears on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Show to perform “Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha” and “You Send Me”
Apr 20, 1959
Apr 20, 1959

“Everybody Likes To Cha Cha Cha” hits #31 on Billboard Hot 100
May 1, 1959
May 1, 1959

Appears on The Jimmy Dean Show to perform “Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha,” “God Bless The Child,” and “Just A Little Talk With Jesus”
June 1, 1959
June 1, 1959

“Only Sixteen” b/w “Let’s Go Steady Again” release - Keen
June 20, 1959
June 20, 1959

Appears on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Show to perform “Only Sixteen.”
June 29, 1959
June 29, 1959

Appears on American Bandstand to perform “Only Sixteen”
July 13, 1959
July 13, 1959

“Only Sixteen” hits #28 on Billboard Hot 100
Sep 1, 1959
Sep 1, 1959

Tribute To The Lady album release (approximate date) - Keen
Sep 4, 1959
Sep 4, 1959

“Summertime” b/w “Pt 2.” release - Keen
Nov 9, 1959
Nov 9, 1959

“I Need You Now” b/w “Happy In Love” release - Keen
Nov 14, 1959
Nov 14, 1959

Appears on "The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show" to perform "There, I've Said It Again"
1960
1960

Signs with RCA

“So Glamorous” b/w “Steal Away” release - Keen

“Mary Mary Lou” b/w “Eee Yi Ee Yi Oh” release - Keen

“With You” b/w “I Thank God” release - Keen

I Thank God album release - Keen

The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke compilation album release - Keen

Cooke's Tour album release - RCA Victor

Hits Of The 50's album release - RCA Victor
Feb 9, 1960
Feb 9, 1960

“Teenage Sonata” b/w “If You Were The Only Girl” release - RCA Victor
Mar 5, 1960
Mar 5, 1960

“You Understand Me” b/w “I Belong To Your Heart” release - RCA Victor
Apr 14, 1960
Apr 14, 1960

"Wonderful World" b/w “Along The Navajo Trail” release - Keen
July 2, 1960
July 2, 1960

“Wonderful World” hits #12 on Billboard Hot 100
July 26, 1960
July 26, 1960

"Chain Gang" b/w “I Fall In Love Every Day” release - RCA Victor
Sep 26, 1960
Sep 26, 1960

“Chain Gang” hits #2 on Billboard Hot 100
Nov 8, 1960
Nov 8, 1960

“Sad Mood” b/w “Love Me” release (approximate date) - RCA Victor
Nov 12, 1960
Nov 12, 1960

Appears on Saturday Prom to perform "Chain Gang" and "Sad Mood”
Dec 19, 1960
Dec 19, 1960

“Sad Mood” hits #29 on Billboard Hot 100
1961
1961

Swing Low album release - RCA Victor

My Kind of Blues album release - RCA Victor
Feb 14, 1961
Feb 14, 1961

“That’s It - I Quit - I’m Movin’ On” b/w “What Do You Say” release - RCA Victor
Mar 27, 1961
Mar 27, 1961

“That’s It - I Quit - I’m Movin’ On” hits #31 on Billboard Hot 100
Apr 1, 1961
Apr 1, 1961

Appears on Saturday Prom finale to perform “That’s It - I Quit - I'm Movin' On" and "Grandfather's Clock"
May 16, 1961
May 16, 1961

"Cupid" b/w “Farewell My Love” release - RCA Victor
May 19, 1961
May 19, 1961

Play Your Hunch appearance
June 12, 1961
June 12, 1961

Appears for a full hour on the network premier of Mike Wallace’s PM East/PM West show
July 24, 1961
July 24, 1961

“Cupid" hits #17 on Billboard Hot 100
Aug 29, 1961
Aug 29, 1961

“Feel It” b/w “It’s Alright” release - RCA Victor
1962
1962

Twistin' The Night Away album release - RCA Victor

The Best of Sam Cooke album release - RCA Victor
Jan 9, 1962
Jan 9, 1962

"Twistin' the Night Away" b/w “One More Time” release - RCA Victor
Mar 24, 1962
Mar 24, 1962

“Twistin’ The Night Away’ hits #9 on the Billboard Hot 100
May 8, 1962
May 8, 1962

"Bring It On Home To Me" b/w “Having A Party” release - RCA Victor
July 14, 1962
July 14, 1962

“Having A Party” hits #17 on Billboard Hot 100
Aug 25, 1962
Aug 25, 1962

“Bring It On Home To Me” hits #13 on Billboard Hot 100
Sep 11, 1962
Sep 11, 1962

“Nothing Can Change This Love” b/w “Somebody Have Mercy” release - RCA Victor
Nov 10, 1962
Nov 10, 1962

Appears on Thank Your Lucky Stars
Nov 16, 1962
Nov 16, 1962

“Nothing Can Change This Love” hits #12 on Billboard Hot 100

Appears on The Tonight Show to perform "Twistin' The Night Away" and "That Lucky Old Sun"
Dec 28, 1962
Dec 28, 1962

“Send Me Some Lovin’” b/w “Baby Baby Baby” release - RCA Victor
1963
1963

Mr. Soul album release - RCA Victor

Night Beat album release - RCA Victor
Jan 12, 1963
Jan 12, 1963

Performs at Harlem Square Club in Miami, FL
Feb 23, 1963
Feb 23, 1963

“Send Me Some Lovin’” hits #13 on Billboard Hot 100
Apr 2, 1963
Apr 2, 1963

"Another Saturday Night” b/w “Love Will Find A Way” release - RCA Victor
May 25, 1963
May 25, 1963

“Another Saturday Night” hits #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
July 9, 1963
July 9, 1963

“Cool Train” b/w “Frankie And Johnny” release - RCA Victor
Sep 7, 1963
Sep 7, 1963

“Frankie And Johnny” hits #14 on Billboard Hot 100
Oct 8, 1963
Oct 8, 1963

Arrested in Shreveport, Louisiana for refusing to be turned away from a segregated hotel

"Little Red Rooster” b/w “You Gotta Move” release - RCA Victor
Dec 7, 1963
Dec 7, 1963

Appears on The Jerry Lewis Show to perform “Twistin’ The Night Away” and “The Riddle Song”
Dec 14, 1963
Dec 14, 1963

“Little Red Rooster” hits #11 on Billboard Hot 100
1964
1964

Appears on BBC TV "Grandstand" to perform "Hey, Hey, The Gang’s All Here" with Cassius Clay

Sam Cooke At The Copa released on RCA Records
Jan 22, 1964
Jan 22, 1964

“Ain’t That Good News” b/w “Basin Street Blues” release - RCA Victor
Feb 7, 1964
Feb 7, 1964

Appears on The Tonight Show to perform “Basin Street Blues" and "A Change Is Gonna Come"
Feb 18, 1964
Feb 18, 1964

Appears on The Mike Douglas Show to perform “For Sentimental Reasons/You Send Me,” “Ain’t That Good News” and "Basin Street Blues”
Feb 25, 1964
Feb 25, 1964

Sam joins Cassius Clay in the ring to celebrate his defeat of Sonny Liston for boxing's World Heavyweight Championship at Convention Hall in Miami Beach, FL
Mar 1, 1964
Mar 1, 1964

Ain't That Good News album release
Mar 14, 1964
Mar 14, 1964

“Ain't That Good News” hits #11 on Billboard Hot 100
Apr 4, 1964
Apr 4, 1964

Appears on American Bandstand to perform “Ain’t That Good News”
June 24, 1964
June 24, 1964

Begins a week-long residency at the Copacabana in NYC
June 30, 1964
June 30, 1964

Appears on Missing Links
July 8, 1964
July 8, 1964

Wraps his week-long residency at the Copacabanna
July 9, 1964
July 9, 1964

“Good Times” b/w “Tennessee Waltz” release - RCA Victor
July 18, 1964
July 18, 1964

“Good Times” hits #11 on Billboard Hot 100
Sep 17, 1964
Sep 17, 1964

Appears on Shindig! to perform “Tennessee Waltz,” “Blowin’ In The Wind,” and "Lucille" with the Everly Brothers

“Cousin Of Mine” b/w “That’s Where It’s At” release - RCA Victor
Nov 3, 1964
Nov 3, 1964

Appears on Talent Party to perform “Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha” with Jackie Wilson
Nov 7, 1964
Nov 7, 1964

“Cousin Of Mine” hits #31 on Billboard Hot 100
Dec 11, 1964
Dec 11, 1964

Sam passes away in Los Angeles, California
Dec 22, 1964
Dec 22, 1964

"A Change Is Gonna Come" b/w “Shake” release - RCA Victor
1965
1965

Shake album release - RCA Victor

The Best of Sam Cooke, Volume II album release - RCA Victor

Try A Little Love album release - RCA Victor
Jan 30, 1965
Jan 30, 1965

Sam Cooke has 3 tracks on the Hot Rhythm and Blues Singles Chart - “Shake” #6, “A Change Is Gonna Come” #10, “Cousin of Mine’’ #40
Feb 13, 1965
Feb 13, 1965

“Sam Cooke At The Copa” is #1 on the Billboard Hot Rhythm and Blues LPs chart

Sam has 2 tracks on the Hot Rhythm and Blues Singles Chart - “Shake” #2 and “A Change Is Gonna Come” #9
Feb 27, 1965
Feb 27, 1965

“Shake” hits #7 on Billboard Hot 100
Mar 6, 1965
Mar 6, 1965

"A Change Is Gonna Come" is #31 on the Billboard Hot 100
Mar 6, 1965
Mar 6, 1965

“Shake” and “Sam Cooke At The Copa” are #1 and #2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B LPs Chart
Mar 23, 1965
Mar 23, 1965

“Ease My Troubling Mind” b/w “It’s Got The Whole World Shakin’” release - RCA Victor
May 18, 1965
May 18, 1965

“When A Boy Falls In Love” b/w “The Piper” release - RCA Victor
July 6, 1965
July 6, 1965

“Sugar Dumpling” b/w "Bridge Of Tears" release - RCA Victor
1966
1966

The Unforgettable Sam Cooke album release - RCA Victor

“Darling I Need You Now” b/w “Win Your Love For Me” release - RCA Victor
Jan 18, 1966
Jan 18, 1966

“Feel It” b/w “That’s All” release - RCA Victor
Mar 29, 1966
Mar 29, 1966

“Trouble Blues” b/w "Let’s Go Steady Again” release - RCA Victor
Aug 30, 1966
Aug 30, 1966

“Meet Me At Mary’s Place” b/w “If I Had A Hammer” release - RCA Victor
1969
1969

The One And Only album release - RCA
1970
1970

This Is Sam Cooke album release - RCA
1985
1985

Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963 album release - RCA
1986
1986

The Man And His Music album release - RCA
Jan 23, 1986
Jan 23, 1986

Sam is one of the first ten inductees into the newly founded Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame
1987
1987

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame
1993
1993

Receives the Chairman's Award from The Apollo Theater Foundation
Feb 1, 1994
Feb 1, 1994

Sam is inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 7051 Hollywood Blvd.
Oct 24, 1995
Oct 24, 1995

The Rhythm And The Blues album release - RCA
Feb 24, 1998
Feb 24, 1998

Greatest Hits album release - RCA
Feb 25, 1998
Feb 25, 1998

"You Send Me” is inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame
1999
1999

Receives the first Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation
Feb 24, 1999
Feb 24, 1999

Receives the NARAS Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Feb 23, 2000
Feb 23, 2000

"A Change Is Gonna Come” is inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame
Sep 26, 2000
Sep 26, 2000

The Man Who Invented Soul album release - RCA
Jan 15, 2002
Jan 15, 2002

Keep Movin' On album release
Jan 18, 2002
Jan 18, 2002

The City of Los Angeles officially recognizes the life and career of Sam Cooke
Jan 22, 2002
Jan 22, 2002

The City of Clarksdale, Mississippi declares January 22nd, 2002 “Sam Cooke Day”
2003
2003

The film "Sam Cooke: Legend" takes home the Grammy for Best Long Form Music Video
June 17, 2003
June 17, 2003

Portrait of a Legend: 1951-1964 album release
2005
2005

Receives the American Music Masters Award from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
2007
2007

“A Change Is Gonna Come” is inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry
2008
2008

Rolling Stone Magazine names Sam Cooke #4 in their 100 Greatest Singers of All Time issue
Jan 20, 2009
Jan 20, 2009

A Change Is Gonna Come EP release
Dec 3, 2010
Dec 3, 2010

Ranked #16 in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time

Apr 7, 2011
Apr 7, 2011

“A Change Is Gonna Come" is #12 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time
Nov 22, 2011
Nov 22, 2011

The RCA Albums Collection album release - RCA/Legacy
2013
2013

Inducted into the R&B Music Hall of Fame
Jun 13, 2013
Jun 13, 2013

"A Change Is Gonna Come" receives the Songwriters Hall of Fame Towering Song Award
Dec 3, 2013
Dec 3, 2013

“(What A) Wonderful World" written by Sam, Herb Alpert, and Lou Adler is inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame
Jan 24, 2020
Jan 24, 2020

The Complete Keen Years (1957 – 1960) album release