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Had he lived, Sam Cooke would have turned 80-years-old in January of this year. His life and legacy were celebrated with the naming of 36th Street, Chicago, Illinois as Sam Cooke Way on Saturday, June 18.
The location of Sam Cooke Way in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, is birthplace to some of Chicago's most talented artists in music and the associated arts. It is where the Cooke family settled after migrating from Clarksdale, Mississippi in the early 1930's, initially residing at 3527 Cottage Grove Avenue and later moving to 724 E. 36th Street.
Young Sam Cooke attended the neighborhood's Doolittle Elementary School and, in 1948, graduated from Wendell Phillips High School. The unveiling of the new Sam Cooke Way street sign took place with the participation of the office of 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns, 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, Sam Cooke's younger brothers L.C. and David Cooke as well as other Cooke family members, legendary radio personality and "Mayor of Bronzeville" Herb Kent, Cook Country Commissioner Jerry Butler (himself a soul music legend, who proclaimed June 18, 2011 as Sam Cooke Day in conjunction with the street naming ceremony), and Chicago Blues Museum CEO Gregg Parker and well over 400 Sam Cooke fans and fellow musicians.
Comments: (14)
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By: SmartStart on 6/30/2011 2:57PM
Excellent Singer.....Definitely one of the Best Legacy Singer of all times. I celebrate this HONOR with You!
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By: Ruby McNair on 6/30/2011 4:37PM
Wonderful.
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By: chris on 6/30/2011 6:27PM
IT'S ABOUT TIME! Everyone sings his songs and honor him. Great work family.
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By: R. Leland Smith on 6/30/2011 6:13PM
I grew up with Sam Cooke and his brother and sister! We attended the same schools and I was born on April 21,1931. He wasca wonderful friend of my twin brother Richard and me! I shall always treasure our relationship!
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By: Ndiyah on 6/30/2011 6:36PM
I appreciate the city giving Sam Cook the honorary street. I know his Family & Friends worked hard in making it come too pass.
But, East 36 Street should have become East Sam Cook Street.
He most certainly deserve it.
I miss Sam cook, He was always so plesant. even jumped rope with us younger girls on his way home when he lived down the street from us on 47 & Kenwood, One of the greatest voices of all time.
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By: Steve Kemp on 6/30/2011 6:59PM
A great move, I too began singing gospel at a young age and still enjoy Mr. Cooke songs,at my age of 74. It took me a long time to get over his death. With a lot of singers switching over to gospel because of the money,it is great to honor artists like Mr. Cooke and Rev. Shirley Caesar and my hat goes off to Al Green and Johnny Taylor for their gospel contributions in their younger days
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By: FashionedbyGod33 on 6/30/2011 10:42PM
Wonderful. An amazing soul singer and is still deeply missed. I grew up on Brother Cooke (I am 35)from my mother and family and have developed a deep appreciation and love for his music. I definitely agree with the rest of the comments posted.
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By: Robert on 6/30/2011 11:18PM
I love Sam Cooke,he has always been my greatest inspiration.Man can he sing and write and produce his own music.There will never be another Sam Cooke.Iam so glad the name a street after him.
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By: Sammie p3 on 7/01/2011 12:24AM
I have always loved Sam Cooke. His gospels and seculars are the best. I listen to both regularly. I was just reading of his astute business side and how he helped and inspired other artists. Love, Love, Love him. I was...and still am saddened by his early death.
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By: MR D on 7/01/2011 1:46PM
chicago people / u guys did Sam Cook good .
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