Sam Cooke: Crossing Over
Monday, January 11 at 8:00 p.m. on WPBT2

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.

Visit the website at www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters.