Sam Cooke Wonderful World

Sam Cooke To Get His Own Street

The ceremony and celebration of the late Cooke, who grew up in Chicago, is being headed by Gregg Parker, CEO, historian and founder of the Chicago Blues Museum and Record Row Foundation.

The location of Sam Cooke Way is in the midst of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, birthplace to some of Chicago's most talented artists in music and the associated arts. It is where the Cooke family settled after migrating from Clarksdale, Mississippi in the early 1930's, initially residing at 3527 Cottage Grove Avenue and later moving to 724 E. 36th Street. Young Sam Cooke attended the neighborhood's Doolittle Elementary School and, in 1948, was a graduate of Phillips High School.

The unveiling of the new Sam Cooke Way street sign is taking place with the participation of the office of 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns who is expected to be on hand. Other notables taking part are 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, legendary radio personality and "Mayor of Bronzeville" Herb Kent, Sam Cooke's younger brothers L.C. and David Cooke as well as other Cooke family members, radio personality Mike Julius and the legendary soul group The Notations (whose members will sing one of Sam's classic hits), and of course Chicago Blues Museum CEO Gregg Parker, as well as legions of Sam Cooke fans and fellow musicians.

Sam Cooke began his professional career as a teenager, singing in local churches as a member of the Highway QCs. After being recruited by the veteran Soul Stirrers at the end of 1950, his lead vocals on "Jesus Gave Me Water" in 1951 gave the already-successful group their biggest hit ever. Twenty-year old Sam Cooke became a gospel legend virtually overnight.

Throughout his gospel career, Sam wrote, recorded and covered many timeless non-secular standards including "Touch the Hem of His Garment," "That's Heaven to Me, "Be With Me Jesus," and "Jesus, Wash Away My Troubles." The Soul Stirrers renditions of "Peace in the Valley," "The Last Mile of the Way," "He's So Wonderful" and "Farther Along," featuring Cooke as lead singer, are still considered gospel classics to this day.

Sam Cooke made the switch to secular music in 1956, releasing his million-selling single "You Send Me" the following year.

Jack Martello – “Wonderful World” (Sam Cooke Cover) ft. My Nan

A big thanks to The Station for featuring me. I got this song in one take, unfortunately my nan called right at the start about getting picked up from shopping, so you get to hear the interesting conversation as well. She has a unique talent of being able to say the same thing hundreds of different ways… Sorry! Just skip past it if you’re THAT bored. A bit about my Nan: Her name is Joy, she has a white afro. My little brother and cousins call her ‘Afronan’. Harsh, but funny. I hope you enjoy it, and please get in touch on Twitter “@JackMartelllo”, maybe we can organize a ‘Nan Playdate’. Cheers, Jack.

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