Reviewed by Phil Thomson

Peter Guralnick's award-winning passion for seeking out the roots of our contemporary music culture is demonstrated yet again in this penetrating account of a troubled musical genius. Set against the background of the ravages of American apartheid, the unquenchable spirit of the singer shines through from our very first encounters with the Cooke entourage - a tight, disciplined family whose heartbeat was set to the rhythm of the song and the preaching of the Word. What sets this biography apart is the way Guralnick writes, painting an intimate portrait of Cooke through the eyes of everyone else around him. At first, almost ignoring him, we are drawn into that 1930's Chicago world as the musical family asserts itself and Cooke begins to realise just how good he is. Perhaps his restlessness was set in train when his father hitch-hiked out of the deep south to establish a preaching ministry in Michigan. Perhaps it was the boy's mischief and good looks and his ability to rise above the sibling rivalry - whatever set him apart, it seems he made a song out of everything, and many more friends than enemies in his rise to stardom, influencing and working with so many key players of his generation: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Fidel Castro, James Brown, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King. The author never surmises; there's no unqualified opinion; just his powerful microscope looking in and reporting back on what's there, whether he is fleshing out Sam's long term friendship with Lou Rawls, dropping in a brief mention of the young keyboard prodigy Billy Preston or returning to Cooke's meaningful role as friend and mentor to the boxer Cassius Clay. Researched in minute detail, he follows every success and setback as Cooke makes his presence felt in the hothouse world of black gospel music and the prejudices without and within while he rises to pop stardom. There is no hint of the singer being idolised. Brilliantly referenced and generously punctuated with photographs, the author leaves it to us to weigh up the loves, lives and many contradictions which are integral to an understanding of the man. After all, the story of someone responsible for "You Send Me", "Wonderful World", "Chain Gang", "Bring It On Home To Me", "Another Saturday Night" and the seminal Civil Rights classic "A Change Is Gonna Come" - yet whose untimely end came as a result of a drink and drug fuelled struggle over a prostitute at the age of 33 - simply cannot be glossed over. Guralnick's breathless pace and candour never lets up for a moment but at 750 pages, this is a door-stopper of a hardback which will need all your stamina.and a book prop to take the strain. Well worth it.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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