Today would have been legendary musician, Sam Cooke’s 90th birthday. He has become one of my favorite singers just in the past few years. I had always heard some of his music growing up without even realizing it, but the first time I was consciously aware of it was when I saw GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, “Bring It On Home to Me” plays and Star-Lord says, “This is Sam Cooke, one of the greatest Earth singers of all time.” I agree with that sentiment and think of that moment whenever that song comes on, I’m sure not many people associate Sam Cooke with the space movie that features a talking raccoon, but that’s how my brain operates. Movies are one of the biggest ways that I’m introduced to old music and I’m thankful for that. He’s an artist who was taken from us way too soon and was only beginning to tap into his talents and expressing the important messages he had to say, but we’re blessed to live in a world that has any of his music at all. Happy Birthday, Sam. #SamCooke #HappyBirthdaySamCooke #ToastToSamCooke https://www.instagram.com/p/CKXvnzsA3iv/?igshid=cs6tywk1ayaf

Mr. Soul. @samcookeofficial #MrCool #DreamRole #Confidence #BlackExcellence #SamCooke #MyNextPhotoshoot #HappyBirthdaySamCooke #Searsly #blackglamour #vintageblackglamour

Sam Cooke was born 86 years ago today. #happybirthdaysamcooke

Happy birthday to soul singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Sam Cooke!

Crowned "the inventor of soul music", Cooke had 30 U.S. top 40 hits between 1957 and 1964 including "You Send Me", "Cupid", "Chain Gang", "Wonderful World", and "Twistin' the Night Away."

He founded both SAR Records and a publishing imprint and management firm named Kags. He also took an active part in the civil rights movement.

In 2007, "A Change Is Gonna Come" was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, with the National Recording Registry deeming the song "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important."

Happy 86th Birthday, to one of my main influences, one of my favorite vocalists ever, the incomparable, Sam "Mr. Soul" Cooke! Thank you for inspiring me! #SamCooke #happybirthdaysamcooke #MrSoul #HesMyGrandfatherInMyHead #IMustPlayHimSomeday #AChangeIsGonnaCome #Cupid #YouSendMe #iloveyouforsentimentalreasons

From a recent audition: Covering Sam Cooke's, "Cupid." Happy Birthday, Mr. Cooke!

Sam Cooke in '58! #HappyBirthdaySamCooke #SamCooke #Searsly #BlackExcellence #Candid #EatingfortheLord #dreamrole

Man, when he sings, "Dear to me!" Whew! Dude, could sing his face off! Dude, was just cool. #samcooke #happybirthdaysamcooke #theepitomeofcool #basinstreetblues

Sam Cooke on success. (1964) #americandanceband #dickclark #samcooke #1960s #happybirthdaysamcooke