2.13.19: Nation – (Culture): Netflix’s brand-new documentary on Mr. Sam Cooke, which premiered on the streaming platform on the 8th of February as part of its ReMastered series, has been billed as an examination of the singer’s controversial death at age 33 and the alleged cover-up which followed.
That singular description, however, is misleading.
The Two Killings of Sam Cooke profiles not only the life and legendary career of the Mississippi-born artist and activist, but also turns the spotlight, albeit briefly, on the luminaries who made up his social circle, such as Muhammad Ali and Cleveland football star Jim Brown.
And while the 1-hour and 14-minute documentary’s February premiere wasn’t explicitly marketed as a homage to Black History Month, the film enumerates the most familiar themes we’ve come to associate with life as a 20th Century African-American.
Segregation, for example, is mentioned.
More specifically, Mr. Cooke on May 21st, 1961, boycotted a show at the Memphis City Auditorium due to blacks being regulated to the back or balcony, whereas, only Whites, whose price of admission was less than those attendees of color, could sit up front and freely dance.
Rather than enable that racism, Mr. Cooke was said to have stayed at the Loraine Motel, the location where seven years later Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated and watched television in a t-shirt.
Preceding Mr. Cooke’s Memphis boycott was the death of his friend, singer Jesse Belvin, who in 1960 performed at the first integrated show in Arkansas.
Mr. Belvin’s death, which immediately followed his showcase, was due to a car crash after resentful locals cut his tires.
Mr. Cooke understood and detested American racism.
He was angered by the 1955 lynching of Emmitt Till in his hometown; he read James Baldwin and encouraged others to do the same; he befriended Malcolm X; his songs became increasingly political.
Mr. Cooke’s masterpiece, ‘A Change is Gonna Come,’ had a verse in it which referred to segregation and anti-blackness: “I go to the movies. And I go downtown. Somebody keep tellin’ me don’t hang around.”
That verse was cut from the song’s initial release, which occurred posthumously.
The Two Killings of Sam Cooke also fleetingly focuses on Mr. Cooke’s venture into entrepreneurship, fueled by his desire to own his publishing and to make more stars out of Black singers.
Mr. Cooke died tragically in early December of 1964, after being shot by Ms. Bertha Franklin, who managed the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California.
It was reported that Mr. Cooke had kidnapped and tried to sexually assault a woman, who turned out to be a prostitute that stole his pants and money. Mr. Cooke then barged into the office of Ms. Franklin, who claimed that the nearly-naked singer was acting erratically and violently and so, in self-defense, she shot him.
Family and friends immediately refuted that account, arguing that the man they knew never acted aggressively towards women. Nonetheless, the LAPD saw no reason to thoroughly investigate and the District Attorney ruled that the shooting was justified.
Conspiracy theories around Mr. Cooke’s death have been a constant and they were certainly given space in the documentary.
Some have said the FBI played a role in the singer’s death because he was becoming too powerful; too influential, and maybe even too pro-black.
But while his death remains ambiguous for some, his life and legacy are clear.
Mr. Cooke was a generous man who began his career in Gospel music and transitioned to a secular artist, becoming a household name around the world.
He was socially conscious and said to be among the early adopters of the Afro because he didn’t want to wear processors in his hair, which was the style of times. In that sense, he was a trendsetter.
Among all, Mr. Cooke was a genius with an immediately recognizable voice. His spot in Black history is well-deserved, even if his contributions to it have been relatively unknown or forgotten.
But unknown they are no more, as The Two Killings of Sam Cooke forces us to remember a forgotten hero in Black history.
Thanks for reading! Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® and I’m Drumming for Justice!™
Author’s bio: Christopher “Flood the Drummer®” Norris is an award-winning journalist, online content producer and professional drummer currently serving as the CEO of Techbook Online, a Philadelphia-based news and event company, and the host of the Drumming for Justice podcast. Subscribe here.
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