The self-proclaimed 'King of Rock and Soul' Solomon Burke died today at age 70 as he embarked on a sold-out tour in Amsterdam with the Dutch band DeDijk. One of the trailblazers of a yet-to-be-named R&B genre, Burke's songs were covered by giants of blues and rock and roll, including the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, an honor that was long overdue.
His family confirmed that he died from natural causes as he sat on an airplane at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Married 3 times, he is survived by 21 children and 90 grandchildren.
On his website, he describes how deeply his roots were grown from gospel music:
"Gospel was part of my total career, not just something I started with, but something I live with, as my foundation and rock. I grew up a normal black kid in the ghetto, exposed to all kinds of music that influenced me as a songwriter and recording artist. I loved country, big band, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Perry Como, Doris Day, Gene Autry, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Roy Rogers -- all of whom in some way inspired me to reach my goal of doing something extraordinary with my life that would connect with people."
Though he had an expansive career as a soul singer, his heart remained in the church and he also served as a preacher and began his music career hosting a gospel radio show.
During his illustrious career, he performed for a former United States President and for one of his biggest fans, Pope John Paul II, at the Vatican in 2000.
This March, he turned 70 and continued to make music. His most recent album, Don't Give Up On Me, resonated with fans and critics. The album won the Grammy in 2002 for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
In 1960, he joined Atlantic Records along with Ray Charles, Ben E. King, and Wilson Pickett. His first hit came with, "Cry to Me," along with "Got to Get You Off of My Mind," "Tonight's The Night," "You're Good For Me," "If You Need Me," and his most commercial hit, "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love." His hit "Cry to Me" became a hit again when it was used in the popular feature film, "Dirty Dancing."
Like Charles who followed him, Burke defined R&B music by fusing gospel with secular R&B along with his country music roots. He was said to have gotten Atlantic Records out of the red with his hits from 1961 to 1964. He had 17 million total record sales.
Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler called him, "the greatest soul singer of all time." He was surely one of the greatest and the trailblazer that cleared the path for so many greats to follow.
28-Sep-10 - Trying to get various black public figures to speak out for or against Bishop Eddie Long has been harder than getting 4-year-olds to go to the dentist. No one is talking, but everyone is paying attention.
27-Sep-10 - Jessica Moore, 19, was hanging out at an off-campus frat party Saturday, when a man who was angry about not getting in to the party, came back with a gun and started shooting. Moore was shot in the head.
23-Sep-10 - Some really "interesting" pictures of Bishop Eddie Long, which were allegedly sent by Long to one of his "spiritual sons," were made public last week.
22-Sep-10 - According to federal authorities, Jesse Jackson Jr. not only tried to buy President Barack Obama's former Senate seat from Rod Blagojevich, but he also had a fundraiser pay for two airline trips for a blond mistress.
17-Sep-10 - James Jones was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function for protecting his disabled young daughter from heartless bullies.
16-Sep-10 - Vancouver police confirmed that Bethany Storro lied about a black woman throwing acid on her face. Storro actually threw the acid on herself.
