Musician Lynn August Remembers Sam Cooke
Herman Fuselier, 9:54 p.m. CST
December 10, 2014
In December 1964, thousands lined the streets of Los Angeles and Chicago during two funerals honoring singing sensation Sam Cooke. A 16-year-old Lynn August sat heartbroken in Lafayette.
Cooke had become a mentor to August since the two met three years earlier at a club in Opelousas. August was just weeks away from moving to California to be closer to Cooke when news broke that the singer had died in a motel shooting. Cooke was 33.
"I was crushed," said August, now 66. "I just couldn't believe it. The first report I got was that he hadn't passed away then. But he probably died on the way to the hospital.
"But 50 years later, people are still talking about him. This man was just phenomenal."
August and other fans are remembering Cooke who died 50 years ago, Dec. 11, 1964. His legacy remains as Rolling Stone magazine ranks Cooke fourth on its list of "Greatest Singers of All Time" and 16th on the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list.
A smooth tenor with striking good looks, Cooke used hits like "You Send Me," "Cupid," "Wonderful World," Twistin' the Night Away" and "A Change is Gonna Come" to become a million-selling, soul singer who crossed over to white audiences, a rare feat for black entertainers at the time. Cooke created his own record label, SAR Records, along with a publishing and management firm.
Cooke's business sense connected him to August in 1961. August, totally blind since the age of four, and his father met Cooke at his show at Bradford's White Eagle. The Opelousas nightspot was a prime stage for major black entertainers, from Duke Ellington to Aretha Franklin, on their barnstorming tours.
"When he found out I was a singer and a drummer, he let me do a few songs on the opening," said August. "He was very interested because Sam was not only a singer and performer. He was a top-notched businessman.
"We made plans for me to stay in Los Angeles. Convenient enough, my grandfather was living there. I would spend a couple of weeks with my grandfather until we could meet. Strangely, I planned on moving there in 1964. I was going to be 16 years old. But that's when he lost his life."
August was able to talk with Cooke several times before his death. They not only discussed music and entertainment, but a mutual love of cars.
"He was a friendly and humorous guy. He liked to joke and laugh.
"People see entertainers on stage and on records and they don't realize they're like everybody else. They have their own unique personality."
August credits Cooke as a major influence on his 55-year career as an R&B and blues pianist and zydeco accordionist. August has brought his music to blues festivals across the globe, comedian Sinbad's syndicated TV show and the hit movie, "The Pelican Brief."
August remains in demand in Europe, where he enjoyed a three-week tour of Germany last year. He plays select local gigs, which includes upcoming shows at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton.
Wherever he plays, Cooke's songs and memories ride along with him.
"He was so far ahead of his time in the music business. "There never was a voice like it before. There never was after. That's what made Sam Cooke Sam Cooke."
Want to know more?
More information on Lynn August is available at lynnaugustnow.com. A video is available at theadvertiser.com.
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| Legendary Musician Sam Cooke. |
December 10, 2014
In December 1964, thousands lined the streets of Los Angeles and Chicago during two funerals honoring singing sensation Sam Cooke. A 16-year-old Lynn August sat heartbroken in Lafayette.
Cooke had become a mentor to August since the two met three years earlier at a club in Opelousas. August was just weeks away from moving to California to be closer to Cooke when news broke that the singer had died in a motel shooting. Cooke was 33.
"I was crushed," said August, now 66. "I just couldn't believe it. The first report I got was that he hadn't passed away then. But he probably died on the way to the hospital.
"But 50 years later, people are still talking about him. This man was just phenomenal."
August and other fans are remembering Cooke who died 50 years ago, Dec. 11, 1964. His legacy remains as Rolling Stone magazine ranks Cooke fourth on its list of "Greatest Singers of All Time" and 16th on the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list.
A smooth tenor with striking good looks, Cooke used hits like "You Send Me," "Cupid," "Wonderful World," Twistin' the Night Away" and "A Change is Gonna Come" to become a million-selling, soul singer who crossed over to white audiences, a rare feat for black entertainers at the time. Cooke created his own record label, SAR Records, along with a publishing and management firm.
Cooke's business sense connected him to August in 1961. August, totally blind since the age of four, and his father met Cooke at his show at Bradford's White Eagle. The Opelousas nightspot was a prime stage for major black entertainers, from Duke Ellington to Aretha Franklin, on their barnstorming tours.
"When he found out I was a singer and a drummer, he let me do a few songs on the opening," said August. "He was very interested because Sam was not only a singer and performer. He was a top-notched businessman.
"We made plans for me to stay in Los Angeles. Convenient enough, my grandfather was living there. I would spend a couple of weeks with my grandfather until we could meet. Strangely, I planned on moving there in 1964. I was going to be 16 years old. But that's when he lost his life."
August was able to talk with Cooke several times before his death. They not only discussed music and entertainment, but a mutual love of cars.
"He was a friendly and humorous guy. He liked to joke and laugh.
"People see entertainers on stage and on records and they don't realize they're like everybody else. They have their own unique personality."
August credits Cooke as a major influence on his 55-year career as an R&B and blues pianist and zydeco accordionist. August has brought his music to blues festivals across the globe, comedian Sinbad's syndicated TV show and the hit movie, "The Pelican Brief."
August remains in demand in Europe, where he enjoyed a three-week tour of Germany last year. He plays select local gigs, which includes upcoming shows at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton.
Wherever he plays, Cooke's songs and memories ride along with him.
"He was so far ahead of his time in the music business. "There never was a voice like it before. There never was after. That's what made Sam Cooke Sam Cooke."
Want to know more?
More information on Lynn August is available at lynnaugustnow.com. A video is available at theadvertiser.com.
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