Were he still alive, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be turning 88-years old on Sunday.
We Boomers were in our formative years when Dr. King’s impact was at its peak, and we remember IRT (in-real-time) the historic contributions he made toward racial justice and social harmony, so honoring him, on Monday, Jan 16th, is personal to us.
In 1964, inspired by Peter, Paul & Mary’s “Blowin’ In The Wind,” Sam Cooke wrote and recorded “A Change is Gonna Come,” a song that’s somewhere between an anthem and a plea, and that also captures what was “in the air” at the time, what people were talking about, what was important.
Listening to it now, I’m in awe of Cooke’s talent, how tender this song is, and its emotional impact, and his hope for America to be as great as we all know it can be.
Sam Cooke was was only two years older than MLK, Jr., and Cooke, like King, was at the peak of his power— both in voice and in social impact, and fame.
“A Change Is Gonna Come,” was released in Dec., 1964, just days after Cooke’s death.
While there continues to be many divisions within our geographical borders, King would no doubt embolden us to keep up the struggle and strive for that Utopian goal of true equality for all.
Listening to Sam Cooke’s song of hope, in his beautiful voice, is an appropriate way to honor the spirit of MLK, Jr. on his day.