Who influneced Sam Cooke?

* Gospel music: Cooke grew up singing in a gospel choir, and his early music was heavily influenced by this tradition. He often used gospel techniques in his secular music, such as call-and-response vocals and improvisation.

* Pop music: Cooke was also a fan of pop music, and he was influenced by artists such as Nat King Cole, Billy Ward and His Dominoes, and The Ink Spots. He began to incorporate elements of pop music into his own style, creating a new genre that he called "soul music."

* Blues music: Cooke was also influenced by blues music, and he often covered blues songs in his live shows. He also recorded several blues albums, including his 1964 album Night Beat.

* Jazz music: Cooke was a fan of jazz music, and he was influenced by artists such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Duke Ellington. He often used jazz techniques in his own music, such as improvisation and complex chord changes.

* Country music: Cooke was also a fan of country music, and he often covered country songs in his live shows. He also recorded several country albums, including his 1966 album Sam Cooke Sings Country Hits.