Sam Cooke was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, on January 22, 1931. Sam was the fifth of Charles’ eight children, who were all members of the Church of Christ. Charles was also their father. Cooke’s family relocated to Chicago in 1933, and he attended Doolittle Elementary before finishing high school at Wendell Philips Academy. When he was six years old, Sam began singing and joined his siblings in the ensemble known as the Singing Children. He became the lead singer for the American gospel group the Highway Q.C’s in his early teens.

Cooke assumed the role of lead vocalist with the Soul Stirrers, a Specialty Records gospel band, in 1950. The song “Jesus Gave Me Water” was the first Sam-led recording to be made public. Cooke was recognized for introducing gospel music to a younger demographic, particularly ladies who would attend Soul Stirrers performances in an effort to see Sam.

Cooke released “Lovable,” his debut solo track, in 1956. Due to the stigma associated with gospel artists producing secular music, he released the song under a pseudonym in an effort to avoid being discovered by his gospel fan base. No one was duped by Sam’s distinctive vocals, though. Art Rupe, the president of Specialty Records, first encouraged Cooke to record secular music. Cooke parted ways with the Soul Stirrers and their label after a disagreement with Sam over his discovery that the latter was covering Gershwin.

Who is Sam Cooke’s wife Dolores Mohawk?

On October 19, 1953, Sam Cooke and Dolores Mohawk exchanged vows. In the presence of their friends and family, they were united in marriage during a lovely ceremony.