The Impressions’ Sam Gooden has died, aged 87
nme.comAssociated Press) that her father was surrounded by family when he died peacefully on Thursday (August 4) in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He was less than a month away from celebrating his 88th birthday, which would have come around on September 2.No cause of death has been confirmed, however according to Chattanooga Radio And TV, Gooden’s health waned in his later years “as he suffered from breathing difficulties and kidney problems”.
Gooden formed The Impressions in 1958 alongside Jerry Butler (who stuck around until 1960), Curtis Mayfield (until 1970) and the Brooks brothers, Richard and Arthur (both until 1962).
He was 19 when the band broke out, and was the only member to last the entire duration of its 60-year tenure. The band would call it a day in 2018, with their final roster being the duo of Gooden and Fred Cash (who joined in 1960).
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