Sam Cooke – Wonderful World (1960) Sam Cooke 1960 Wonderful world Did you know that... It’s unclear what actually happened when Cooke was shot to death at a motel in 1964. The police’s theory is that he took a woman hostage. When the woman managed to escape, Cooke chased her and was shot to death by the motel manager. How does this song make you feel? Report abuse SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS