I agree with LC, Sam’s brother. Sam never left gospel because he loved gospel. Although the economics in the gospel field lead him to switch to pop music, he did not turn his back on gospel. Gospel was in everything he sung because gospel was in him. He controlled it until the 1962 tour with Little Richard in England opened his eyes. He found out the audience responded favorably when he let his “gospel” feeling really come out. Also, after he became established and had control of his career, he started SAR Records with the idea to help gospel artist who still struggled in the gospel field. (He got the Soul Stirrers money for session work: Over At Mary’s Place). The first group he signed to the label was The Soul Stirrers. He supplied them with material to record. He wrote the first hit they had without him: Jesus Be A Fence Around Me.

Although he never recorded and released gospel with The Soul Stirrers after he left, Sam never left gospel. I believe he would have been a force helping to revive the gospel field and creating opportunities for gospel Artists.
(Even so, you will get a special treat if you get the ABKCO CD entitled: The Soul Stirrers-Singing In My Soul. Sam is singing background on two songs: Lead Me To Calvary and All Over This World)

Stay in touch.

Easy, Dave Bass

I do agree with you.

Quick question: Do you feel he should have continued doing gospel songs even after leaving the group, or was it time for something new musically?

Nice selection! If you don’t mind me asking, how did you first come across Sam Cooke?