[net.music] Sam Cooke's Death

gngladstone@watrose.UUCP (Gary Gladstone) (01/12/84)

I have heard a number of contradictory stories regarding
the death of Sam Cooke.  Does anyone out there know the
truth regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.


....!decvax!watmath!watrose!gngladstone

joyce@ihuxp.UUCP (joyce) (01/13/84)

I don't have any references but I think he was attacking a woman at a
motel and was shot to death by the motel manager (also a woman).  I also
think there was some question as to the exact circumstances surrounding
the shooting.

peters@cubsvax.UUCP (Peter S. Shenkin) (01/13/84)

I am certain Sam Cooke was murdered; as I recall, in a resaurant in Harlem.
I'm pretty sure (though I may be wrong) that the crime was never solved,
but I believe that it had religious overtones:  Sam had been a gospel singer
before switching to pop... in fact, his gospel stuff was FANTASTIC.  I
forget the name of the quartet he was part of, but if someone out there 
knows I'd appreciate his/her telling me.

Anyway, there was speculation that he was murdered by a religious fanatic or 
cultist who felt that his turning to pop was "evil."

Typical of religion, if you ask me.  (I realize you didn't.)  [This paragraph
only constitutes an editorial comment.]

{philabs,cmcl2!rocky2}!cubsvax!peters
(Peter S Shenkin; Dept of Biol Sci; Columbia Univ; NY, NY 10027; 212-280-5517)

jlp@inmet.UUCP (01/20/84)

#R:ihuxp:-58600:inmet:6600065:000:137
inmet!jlp    Jan 18 11:52:00 1984

I believe Lou Rawls was also a part of that Gospel quartet.

The Organ Keyboard of
Jerryl Payne
{esquire,harpo,decvax!cca!ima}!inmet!jlp