Johnny Gill Set to Appear in Sam Cooke Musical

According to a press release by the Urban Musical Tours, LLC (UMT), Rhythm & Blues crooner Johnny Gill will star in the musical, Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul. Playwright, director and founder of the UMT Kevin Ramsey anticipates that the musical will hit 30 cities and then complete the tour at Broadway. Also attached to the tour is actor Malik Yoba and singer Tony Terry.

Sam Cooke is considered to be one of the most influential pioneers of soul music. With the moniker, the father of soul music, the Mississippi native was one of the first African-American to own a publishing company and a record label. He wrote, sang and produced his greatest hits such as Cupid, You Send Me, Twistin' the Night and the Civil Rights Movement anthem, A Change is Gonna Come. His life came to an abrupt end when he was shot and killed at motel. No official investigation was ever done. He was 33.

Johnny Gill is best known for his soulful and signature hit, My, My, My. His lucky break came in 1987 when he replaced the bad boy in the making, Bobby Brown and became a member of the influential boy group, New Edition. The group split for a few years but reunited for the album, "Home Again" in 1996. The album climbed the charts with such hits as, Hit Me Off and Still in Love.

In 1997, he lent his voice to another singing group. He along with singers Keith Sweat and the now late Gerald Levert formed the group, LSG. Their debut album, "Levert-Sweat-Gill" attained multi-platinum status, selling over two million albums in the US. Six years later, they released their final collaboration, "LSG2."

Malik Yoba has quite a resume of his own. Best known for his role as the take no mess cop in the drama series, New York Undercover, Yoba's acting career spans well over a decade. Also a gifted musician, he has appeared in films, Cool Runnings, Personal, Soul Food, Ride and most recently, he played hubby architect to singing legend, Janet Jackson in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married.