Singer-songwriter Rita Coolidge, 70, has recorded 15 Billboard pop-chart hits and has won two Grammy Awards. She is the author of “Delta Lady: A Memoir” (Harper). She spoke with Marc Myers.
I was attending Florida State University in late 1964 when Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” was released. The song’s orchestration and Cooke’s lyrics and molasses-like voice touched me deeply. My father was Native American, and my parents had instilled in me the belief that everyone is the same, As I listened to the song, I was taken by the soothing quality and conviction of Cooke’s gospel delivery. He had faith, not just hope, that segregation and racism would soon end.
As I listened to the song, I was taken by the soothing quality and conviction of Cooke’s gospel delivery. He had faith, not just hope, that segregation and racism would soon end.
In college many students gravitated to political thinking. Our beliefs surfaced, and we became inspired by movements that wanted to end injustice and stop power from being abused.
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