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St. Paul, Minn.

Sam Cooke died 50 years ago but has not been forgotten

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Today's Morning Edition music is from the unmistakable voice of Sam Cooke with "The Riddle Song," a tune from the last album that was released during his lifetime.

Fifty years ago today Cooke was shot and killed by a motel manager in Los Angeles. He was just 33 years old.

There are differing accounts on the circumstances of his death, but it has been reported that his last words were "lady you shot me."

Twin Cities native Har Mar Superstar, who is a big Cooke fan, used that line as the inspiration for a popular song he released in 2013.

• More Morning Edition music