Sam Cooke is a pillar of American pop and soul music. Cooke’s patent buttery smooth vocals took over the pop charts in the 1950s and 1960s with a slew of #1 hits, including “You Send Me,” “(What A) Wonderful World,” “Twistin’ The Night Away,” “Bring It On Home To Me,” “Having A Party,” and “Cupid.”

A celebrated entertainer, Cooke was also an advocate for social change. His personal experiences with racial discrimination served as the foundation for his anthem for equality, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and he helped usher in the Civil Rights movement by refusing to perform for segregated audiences.

The man, and his music, are timeless.