The first-ever authorized filmed biography of the visionary singer/songwriter/ producer examines his extraordinary career and personal life--from his gospel-singing roots through his R&B, soul and pop music career. The documentary includes rare performances, memorable footage of Cooke and close friend Muhammad Ali, and interviews with fellow musicians Aretha Franklin, Lloyd Price, Lou Rawls, Bobby Womack, business manager Allen Klein, and the Cooke family whose cooperation was invaluable in the production. Acknowledged as soul music's progenitor, Cooke took the civil rights movement's message of economic self-determination to heart and built his own label and publishing company. He wrote and performed such classics as "You Send Me," "Wonderful World," "Chain Gang," and the evocative "A Change is Gonna Come" before his tragic death in 1964. Narrated by actor Jeffrey Wright (Ali, "Angels in America") and written by Peter Guralnick, author of the definitive Sam Cooke biography best seller, Dream Boogie.

Length: 59 minutes