Res. No. 1027
Resolution honoring the life and legacy of Sam Cooke and declaring that January 22nd of each year be celebrated as a holiday in memory of this great and renowned singer and songwriter.
By Council Members Barron, James, Lander, Nelson, Rose, Vann and Williams
Whereas, Sam Cooke is known as an American icon, a renowned singer and songwriter, having written and sung an incredible array of songs in genres including Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Gospel and Pop; and
Whereas, According to the music collection, "The Man Who Invented Soul," Sam Cooke had 29 Top 40 hits in the United States between 1957 and 1964, including "You Send Me," A Change Is Gonna Come," "Chain Gang," "Wonderful World," and "Bring It On Home To Me;" and
Whereas, Sam Cooke is also widely known to be among the first modern black performers and composers that was actively involved with the business side of his illustrious career, whereby using his entrepreneurial skills to establish both a record label and a publishing company; and
Whereas, As noted in a Newsweek article, Sam Cooke was acclaimed as "a bravura vocal stylist who blazed the path for a generation of singers from Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett to Aretha Franklin and Al Green;" and
Whereas, Many music historians and admirers believe that Sam Cooke may have been the most important soul singer in history, was the inventor of soul music, and was a most popular and beloved performer in both the black and white communities; and
Whereas, According to Gale Musician Profiles, Cooke also introduced black phrases into the popular music lover's vocabulary with songs like "Bring It On Home To Me" and his posthumous release "A Change Is Gonna Come," which according to Gale gave new social overtones to a familiar black expression; and
Whereas, Sam Cooke died a tragic death at the age of 33 in December 1964; and
Whereas, Posthumous honors for Sam Cooke include his 1986 induction as a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his 1999 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, being listed as #16 in 2004 by Rolling Stone on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time," and the 2008 declaration by Rolling Stone to be the fourth "Greatest Singer of All Time;" now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the New York City Council honors the life and legacy of Sam Cooke and declares that January 22nd of each year be celebrated as a holiday in memory of this great and renowned singer and songwriter.
MB
LS 1719
6/7/11