Sam Cooke, commonly called the King of Soul, was a black gospel, R&B, and soul singer. He was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi (http://www.bestplaces.net/images/city/Clarksdale_MS.gif). He began his music career early on in life, forming a quintet called the Highway QCs when he was just 14. He later became lead singer of a gospel group called The Soul Stirrers. After six year with The Soul Stirrers, Cooke began to branch out on his own and he recorded his first single in 1957 titled "Lovable". Cooke, in addition to being a talented musician, was also a very knowledgable business man and he established his own publishing company in 1959. In a tragic turn of events, Cooke's son died after he drowned in a pool outside of their home. He retreated into a deep depression, but he also found inspiration for his most influential and recognizable song, A Change Is Gonna Come. Cooke references the loss of his son in the song, as well as referencing the inequality that blacks suffered in the 1960s. His goal was to inspire other blacks to join in the Civil Rights Movement and also to have faith that change really will come. Just a year after the song was written, Cooke suffered a grim and untimely death. He was shot at a motel he was staying at, while allegedly attempting to rape the motel's manager. There has been much speculation surrounding Cooke's death, but nothing has ever been proven. Although Sam Cooke may no longer be with us, his legend and inspiration still lives on through his music. His song A Change Is Coming managed to inspire an entire nation into providing equality for black and whites alike.