Sam Cooke and wife Barbra (above).
Barbara had known Sam for years and the two eventually married and had children.
Their young son, Vincent, died after going into the backyard and entering the pool at 18 months old. Barbara was unaware he left out, and unfortunately, Vincent drowned.
Sam blamed her for the death, which drove a wedge between the two.
Same died in a questionable shooting at a cheap motel, after a woman ran off w/ his clothes and money.
The desk clerk said Sam attacked her when he went to the front desk looking for the thieving girl, and shot him dead.
Above is Sam, Barbara, and Sam's "best friend" and protege' Bobby Womack.
Bobby married Sam's wife Barbara 77 days after Sam's death.
Bobby wore Sam's diamond ring and suit to his funeral.
Bobby was also seen driving Sam's cars around town, which infuriated Sam's brothers.
Sam's brother's warned him to never come to Chicago, and when he did, they pistol whipped him badly - broke his jaw, knocked his teeth through his lip, and nearly killed Bobby.
Bobby and Barbara had a son, also naming him Vincent (same name as Sam's son who drowned). He was a troubled child and ultimately killed himself at 21 (self inflicted gunshot).
This is Linda Cooke - Sam and Barbara's daughter.
Barbara caught Bobby sleeping w/ her (at the age of 17) and shot at him multiple times, grazing him once in the head.
The two divorced immediately afterward.
Linda never spoke to her mother again.
Linda Cooke later married Cecil Womack - brother of Bobby Womack.
If this is new to you, you'll need a few to process it all. Tragedy, betrayal, and outright disrespect. This would make an epic movie. Below is the song Bobby wrote about his relationship w/ Sam.
