American singer Samuel Cooke, also known as Sam Cooke, was well-known in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
He gained the moniker “King of Soul” because to the significant influence his distinctive voice had on the popular music industry.
Growing up, Cooke performed with The Soul Stirrers before going on to have a hugely successful solo career.
In 1957, he added a “E” to his last name to symbolize the beginning of a new life.
Sam Cook cause of death: How did Sam Cooke die?
On December 11, 1964, in the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, Cooke was shot to death. He was 33 years old.
Police discovered his body when he was just wearing a sports jacket and a shoe.
He allegedly entered the motel office in search of a girl, and Bertha Franklin, the manager, shot him in self-defense.
Elisa Boyer reportedly dialed 911 after leaving the motel room Cooke took her to out of fear that he would rape her.
Because of rumors of a shooting and a kidnapping, the police were called to the motel.
Franklin was not held accountable for the murder because it was a “justified homicide.”
However, many people doubt the veracity of Franklin and Boyer’s accounts and believe it was a premeditated murder, perhaps carried out by Allen Klein, Sam Cooke’s manager, who also held all the recording rights.
