R&B singer Ray Lavender (Ray L) released news today (May 2) via his twitter page that he will be playing Sam Cooke in his upcoming biopic. Ray first broke into acting on the TV One reality show, The Ultimate Merger.
The project is still in the early stages of development, with writers working on an adaptation of Peter Guralnick’s 2005 biography “Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke,” said Jody Klein, the president of ABKCO Music & Records Inc.
ABKCO owns all the necessary master recordings and rights to make the movie.
Cooke crossed over from gospel stardom to achieve mainstream pop success with such tunes as “Chain Gang,” “Cupid,” “Good Times” and the posthumous protest anthem “A Change is Gonna Come.” Notably for the times, he owned the rights to his music through various recording and publishing entities he controlled.
Cooke was fatally shot by a motel manageress who said she feared for her life after he stormed into her office after a dispute with a woman the family man had brought back to his room.
Jody Klein’s father, Allen Klein, who died in July, managed Cooke. New York-based ABKCO, which also controls the rights to compositions by the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Kinks, is controlled by the Klein family.
Ray Lavender has been cast in the role of musical legend Sam Cooke and fans could not be more excited. It’s a move that makes perfect sense, as both men have made an incredible mark on music history with their powerful lyrics and memorable melodies. Lavender is taking this role to heart, eager to bring Cooke’s story to life in a way that appeals to all generations of fans.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in Sam Cooke’s remarkable career. His timeless tunes such as “You Send Me” and “A Change Is Gonna Come” continue to influence artists from all genres today. For many people, he was one of the most influential figures in popular music during his lifetime. Now with Lavender taking up the mantle, it looks like Cooke’s legacy will live on for generations to come.
Ray Lavender is no stranger to bringing iconic characters back to life – having previously portrayed Marvin Gaye in Chasing Destiny- The Making Of A Legend and Michael Jackson onstage in Thriller Live! With his talent, dedication, and enthusiasm for the project, it looks like he’ll make a great Sam Cooke!
Background Information On Ray Lavender
Ray Lavender is an American singer and actor best known for his 2007 hit single, “My Girl Got a Girlfriend”. He recently landed the role of legendary soul star Sam Cooke in a new biopic. Born in 1987, Lavender began singing at age five and eventually won several local talent shows throughout the South. His early success led to him being signed by a major label when he was only sixteen years old.
Since then, Lavender has gone on to release three studio albums and multiple singles that have made their way into the Billboard charts. In addition to music, he also ventured into acting with roles in television series such as The Game and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. Despite having experienced some success in this field, it wasn’t until recently that he became widely recognized as an actor due to his portrayal of Sam Cooke.
The biopic will chronicle the life and career of Sam Cooke from childhood to international stardom before his untimely passing in 1964. This marks one of the biggest roles of Ray’s burgeoning career thus far, setting up what looks to be an exciting journey ahead for both fans of both artists alike.
Details Of Sam Cooke Role
Having already made a name for himself in the music and television world, Ray Lavender is certainly no stranger to success. Now he takes his career a step further with the opportunity to portray one of soul music’s most iconic figures – Sam Cooke. This biopic will be an exploration into how Cooke rose from poverty-stricken childhood beginnings in Mississippi to becoming one of the biggest stars on the planet before his untimely death at age 33.
Ray has been training hard both vocally and physically for this role, which requires him to accurately depict Sam’s unique singing style as well as capturing subtle nuances that make up who Cooke was as a person. He also studied footage of Sam performing live so he could better capture his movements onstage. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of performance Ray brings when it comes time for filming later this year.
The release date for the film hasn’t yet been announced but we’re looking forward to seeing how Ray brings Sam Cooke back to life onscreen!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ray Lavender’s recent casting as Sam Cooke is a major milestone in his career. His musical talent and acting prowess have been recognized by the world at large, and he has earned this role through hard work and dedication to his craft.
Ray will bring soulful energy to the part of Sam Cooke that audiences are sure to love. He has the experience necessary to embody the legendary singer-songwriter, and it’s clear that he was born for this role. With Ray in the lead, fans can expect an emotionally charged performance that honors both Sam Cooke and Ray Lavender alike.
Ultimately, Ray Lavender’s portrayal of Sam Cooke promises to be captivating; we’ll all get to see what this talented artist can do with such a powerful role. It’s going to be an amazing journey—one worth watching!
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