Oldies But Goodies Doo Wop Cruise

Vel Omarr was born on a small farm in the Mississippi Delta coincidently not far from Clarksdale, Mississippi Sam Cooke's birthplace. Vel mother found that living in the south and working the cotton fields could not be all that life had to offer. Like many before her, she packed her bags and took the "next train smoking" to Chicago in search of better things. Vel remained in Mississippi with his grandparents. He attended church on Sundays and recalls traveling to neighboring towns taking part in or sometimes watching the "Gospel Fests."

At the age of eight, Vel moved to Chicago and reunited with his mother. This was pure culture shock! "From the sticks to the bricks," says Vel. The first song he heard on the radio, as the train pulled into the station was "You Send Me" sung by Sam Cooke. "The song eased my longing to be back home in Mississippi", Vel remembers. Vel discovered his love for singing at the age of 14, and on graduating; he decided to entertain the idea of singing as a way of life. In the early 1970's, Vel boarded a plane bound for Los Angeles to reposition himself, focus, and to follow his dream as an entertainer. Another coincidence Los Angeles was the place of Sam Cooke's death.

Vel credits Sam Cooke with being his vocal inspiration from childhood. Adapting some of Cooke's vocal techniques and stage presence has transformed him into a skilled vocalist who not only has his own style, but many will say he sounds just like Sam. Fans continue to be stunned when listening to Vel sings it sounds as if Sam is singing. Vel sings and performs his original compositions with passion and flair and enjoys his own audience and fans.

As a singer in Brenton Wood's Sweet Old School Revue. Vel has also opened for and appeared with such legendary greats as James Brown, Etta James, Little Richard, Al Wilson, Barbara Lynn, Brenda Holloway, Rosie, of Rosie and The Originals and many other famous R&B/Doo Wop artists.

Vel joined the well-known Doo Wop group, the Robins, as their second tenor lead singer, for a reunion tour in 1991. He remained with H B Barnum and The Robins until 1995, and then began touring with Brenton Wood as the opening act for Brenton Wood's Sweet Old School Revue. In 2003 Vel joined The Olympics as one of their lead singers. He has performed alongside other legendary artists like, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Penguins, The Coasters, Gene Chandler, The Flamingos, Zola Taylors of the Platters, and many more.

Sam himself wrote many of his songs like 'Cupid', 'Chain Gang', 'Shake' and 'A Change is Gonna Come'. He influenced every soul singer in the 60's and 70's in someway. Rod Stewart has recorded many of Cooke's songs. Great groups like the Rolling Stones ('Good Times') and the Animals ('Bring It on Home to Me') recorded his songs that made the charts. When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was founded in 1986, Sam Cooke was first of only ten inductees. A year later, he also made the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Today Sam Cooke's music and his distinct sound continue to entertain us with the beautiful voice of Vel Omaar.