Musicians who died on December 11

Take a focused look at the musicians who passed away on December 11. Dive into curated bios, achievements, and cultural milestones verified by our editors.

• 1964 Sam Cooke

  Sam Cooke was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, often regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of soul music. He was known for his distinctive voice, pioneering contributions to soul and pop music, and for helping to bridge the gap between black and white audiences during the civil rights era. [bio]

• 2012 Ravi Shankar

  Ravi Shankar was a legendary Indian classical musician who revolutionized global understanding of sitar music and significantly influenced...