Sam Cooke Profiled

American Masters' “Sam Cooke: Crossing Over” will air 11 January 2010 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Before Otis Redding, before Motown, before Aretha Franklin became the Queen of Soul, Sam Cooke put the spirit of the black church into popular music, creating a new American sound. He had a silky voice and good looks; he was charming and brazen. Doors opened for him, bringing his unique gospel — “Good News,” “Wonderful World,” “You Send Me,” “Change Is Gonna Come” and more — to the airwaves.