original_query: What were Sam Cooke's contributions to soul music?
query: What were Sam Cooke's contributions to soul music?
answer: Sam Cooke is considered a pioneer and one of the most influential soul artists of all time, often called the "King of Soul."  His distinctive vocals, significant contributions to the genre, and impact on popular music made him a key figure.  His work influenced the rise of many other soul artists, and AllMusic called him "the inventor of soul music."