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American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and pioneering force in soul music whose velvety voice and innovative style bridged gospel, R&B, and pop.Born in Mississippi, Cooke rose to fame as lead singer of The Soul Stirrers gospel group. He revolutionized popular music by transitioning to secular pop in 1956, achieving 29 Top 40 hits. Founded SAR Records and music publishing companies to protect Black artists' rights....