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Friday, March 29, 2024

Celebrating a legend

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In a verse from his famous 1964 classic “A Change Is Gonna’ Come,” Sam Cooke sings, “It’s been a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna’ come, oh yes it will.”

During his historic victory speech in Chicago immediately after the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama paid homage to Cooke’s style when he stated, “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.”

Many people understood why out of all soul singers, Obama chose to pattern his speech after Cooke. After all, songs by the musical legend, such as “You Send Me” and “Cupid” continue to amaze, inspire and romance listeners decades after his untimely death.

That is why singer Carlton Lewis III, an Indianapolis native, will host a special concert entitled “A Tribute to the Legendary Sam Cooke” on Oct. 23 at Indianapolis Legend’s Bar & Grill, 8083 E. 38th St.

Lewis and his group of musicians will perform songs that represent a comprehensive review of Cooke’s career, from his days as a popular gospel artist to his time as a solo superstar.

“Sam Cooke was a great influence of mine, and he made history as one of the first popular gospel artists to successfully cross over into secular music,” Lewis said. “Some singers had tried it before, but not with the kind of soul he delivered.”

Indeed Cooke, with his unique, gospel-influenced vocal style, is recognized as one of the pioneers of soul and R&B music. Many music historians believe his contributions inspired a new generation of soul performers who took the art form to another level during the 1960s, such as Bobby Womack, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye.

Aaron Neville, a well-respected artist in his own right, once said, “I always loved Sam Cooke, because he seemed very versatile. He sang gospel, soul, blues and pop music.”

A native of Mississippi who grew up in Chicago, Cooke began his music career in gospel music as the lead singer with legendary groups such as the Highway QC’s and the Soul Stirrers, with whom he released praise favorites such as “Peace in the Valley,” “Touch the Hem of His Garment” and “Jesus Gave Me Water.”

In 1957 Cooke left gospel music and began his solo career with “You Send Me,” which spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. Other hits followed into the early 1960s, making Cooke a sought after entertainer by Black and white audiences alike.

However, in 1964 at age 33, Cooke was shot and killed by the manager of a Los Angeles hotel who claimed Cooke had tried to attack her while intoxicated. An investigation ruled that the shooting was an act of self-defense, but some observers continue to question its circumstances.

Lewis seems well positioned to provide the tribute for Cooke. Raised near the intersection of 34th Street and Keystone Avenue on the city’s Near Eastside, his musical development closely mirrored that of Cooke’s.

Raised in a religious home surrounded by gospel music, Lewis grew up listening to Cooke’s songs with the Soul Stirrers, along with vocalists from other quartet groups. He became a licensed minister at age 15 and went on to sing with groups such as the Mighty Gospel Imperials, the Spiritualaires and the Gospel Expressions.

In 2004, Lewis was selected to join the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds, and later replaced the Grammy Award winning group’s longtime lead singer, Ira Tucker Sr.

Tucker was a friend of Lewis’ grandfather, who often invited the singer to his church, the former Buggs Temple Church of God in Christ downtown.

Joining the Dixie Hummingbirds was a dream come true for Lewis, and he has enjoyed performing with them throughout the world. Recently, the group completed a tour of Europe that included countries such as Finland and Switzerland.

“They love African-American culture,” Lewis said. “They have professors over there who make more than the president just by teaching about the African-American experience and music. They know gospel provided the foundation for different types of music, so they are always excited to see a gospel act.”

Lewis added that he hopes that the majority of popular music will one day return to the richness and romance it had during Cooke’s day.

“Music from that time respected love and women. It wasn’t just about how a person looked, but affection,” Lewis said. “It was about how you make me feel, not how I want to do this and do that to you.”

As for the tribute concert, Lewis promises that Cooke fans, both young and mature will be satisfied.

“They can expect an exciting show, complete with a live band,” he said. “We’re going to bring back that energy of the good ole’ days.”

 

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