Burke, Solomon

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{{epname|Burke, Solomon}}
 
{{epname|Burke, Solomon}}
{{Infobox musical artist  <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians —>
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{{Infobox musical artist   
 
| Name            = Solomon Burke
 
| Name            = Solomon Burke
 
| Img            = Solomon Burke.jpg
 
| Img            = Solomon Burke.jpg
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| Img_size        =  
 
| Img_size        =  
 
| Landscape      =  
 
| Landscape      =  
| Background      = solo_singer
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| Background      = preacher, radio host
 
| Birth_name      =  
 
| Birth_name      =  
 
| Alias          = "The King of Rock 'N Soul," "Big Sol"
 
| Alias          = "The King of Rock 'N Soul," "Big Sol"
| Born            = {{birth date and age|1940|3|21|mf=y}}<ref>Valania, Jonathan. ''Solomon Burke brings it home'', [[Philadelphia Weekly]], 2002-07-17, [http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=3346&highlight=valania]</ref><br/><small>[[Philadelphia]], [[United States|U.S.]]</small>
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| Born            = {{Birth date|1940|3|21}}
| Died            =
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| Died            = {{Death date |2010|10|10}} <br>(aged 70)
 
| Instrument      =  
 
| Instrument      =  
| Genre          = [[Blues]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]], [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[soul music|Soul]]
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| Genre          = [[Gospel music|Gospel]], [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[soul music|Soul]]
| Occupation      = [[Preacher]], [[singer]],
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| Occupation      = [[singer]], [[songwriter]]
| Years_active    = 1960s – 2008
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| Years_active    = 1960s – 2010
 
| Label          = [[Kenwood Records]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Sequel Records|Sequel]], [[Fat Possum Records]]
 
| Label          = [[Kenwood Records]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Sequel Records|Sequel]], [[Fat Possum Records]]
 
| Associated_acts =  
 
| Associated_acts =  
| URL            = http://www.thekingsolomonburke.com
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| URL            = www.thekingsolomonburke.com
 
}}
 
}}
'''Solomon Burke''' (born March 21, 1940) is a [[United States|American]] [[rhythm and blues]] performer and songwriter who, despite only moderate success as a recording artist had a major impact on the music business. A [[Grammy Award]]-winning [[singer]]/[[songwriter]], Burke drew from [[Gospel (music)|gospel]], [[soul music|soul]], and [[blues (music)|blues]] to create a unique style [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] style when the genre was still in its infancy.
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'''Solomon Burke''' (born '''James Solomon McDonald''', March 21, 1940&nbsp;– October 10, 2010) was an [[United States|American]] [[rhythm and blues]] performer and songwriter who, despite only moderate success as a recording artist, has had a major impact on the music business. A [[Grammy Award]]-winning [[singer]]/[[songwriter]], Burke drew from [[Gospel (music)|gospel]], [[soul music|soul]], and [[blues (music)|blues]] to create a unique R&B style when the genre was still in its formative stages.
  
In the 1950s, Burke began recording gospel and R&B on the [[Apollo]] label. When he signed with [[Atlantic]] in the 60s, his career focused along secular lines. He had a string of R&B hits, including "Just Out of Reach," "Cry to Me," "If You Need Me," "Got to Get You Off My Mind," "Tonight's the Night," and "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)." Most of his [[music]], however, did not cross over to the [[pop charts]] as did fellow gospel-turned R & B stars Aretha Franklin and Wilson Picket. Burke nevertheless reach mainstream audiences through his writing of the iconic R & B "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," which became widely known from covers by [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Wilson Pickett]], and the soundtrack of the hit movie ''The [[Blues Brothers]]''.
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Beginning his career as a gospel music artist and [[preacher]], after he signed with [[Atlantic Records]] in the 1960s, his career focused along secular lines. He had a string of R&B hits, including "Cry to Me," "If You Need Me (Call Me)," "Tonight's the Night," and "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)." Most of his [[music]], however, did not cross over to the [[pop charts]] as did fellow gospel-turned R & B stars [[Aretha Franklin]] and [[Wilson Pickett]]. Burke nevertheless reached mainstream audiences through his writing of the iconic R & B hit "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," which became widely known from covers by [[The Rolling Stones]], Pickett, and the soundtrack of the hit movie ''The [[Blues Brothers]]''.  
  
In the late 60s, Burke left Atlantic and signed with several labels over the next decade. His biggest hit came in 1969: a cover of [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]]'s "Proud Mary." Burke was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001.  
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In the late 1960s, Burke left Atlantic and signed with several labels over the next decade. His biggest hit came in 1969: A cover of [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]]'s "Proud Mary." In later decades he toured widely and performed at numerous R&B retrospective concerts, where his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence made him a popular attraction.
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{{toc}}
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Burke was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001. "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" is included on'' Rolling Stone Magazine's'' list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
According to his own testimony, Solomon Burke was born in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] on March 21, 1940, although some sources claim that he was born in 1936 or 1938. Before his teens, Burke was already preaching at his family's [[church]] in [[Philadelphia]] and hosting his own [[gospel]]-[[radio]] show. He began his adult life as a [[preacher]] in Philadelphia and soon moved on to hosting a [[gospel]]-[[radio]] show. In 1960 he signed with [[Atlantic Records]] and, like several other gospel singers of the era, began moving towards more secular music.
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Burke was born James Solomon McDonald on March 21, 1940, in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]. Before his teens, he was already preaching at his family's [[church]] in Philadelphia and hosting his own [[gospel music|gospel]] [[radio]] show. As a young adult, he continued working in the gospel radio business and preaching. He recorded gospel and some R&B on the [[Apollo]] label in the late 50s. In 1960, he signed with [[Atlantic Records]] and, like several other gospel singers of the era, began moving towards more secular music.
  
His first [[hit record|hit]] was "Just Out of Reach of My Open Arms," 1961, a [[cover version|cover]] of a country song. He reached the R&B Top Five with "Cry to Me," 1962, and "If You Need Me," 1963. In 1964, he [[songwriter|wrote]] and [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] "[[Everybody Needs Somebody to Love]]," Burke's most prominent bid for an enduring soul [[pop standard|standard]]. Almost immediately covered by [[The Rolling Stones]] the same year, other well-known versions include one by [[Wilson Pickett]] and another, a decade and a half later, in the 1980 film by [[The Blues Brothers]].
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===R & B success===
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His first minor [[hit record|hit]] was "Just Out of Reach of My Open Arms" in 1961, a [[cover version|cover]] of a country song. In 1962 he reached the R & B Top Five with "Cry to Me," followed the next year by the hit recording of "If You Need Me (Call Me)." In 1964, he [[songwriter|wrote]] and [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] his best-known song, "[[Everybody Needs Somebody to Love]]." The song was almost immediately covered by [[The Rolling Stones]] and later by [[Wilson Pickett]], who paid tribute to Burke in his preaching-style introduction to the song. In 1965, Burke topped the R&B charts with "Got to Get You Off of My Mind." In 1980, "Everybody Needs Somebody" reached new audiences and became a rock and R & B standard when it was performed by [[John Belushi]] and [[Dan Akroyd]] in the climactic concert scene of the hit movie ''[[The Blues Brothers]]''.
  
Burke was well-received by both peers and critics, and scored several moderate [[pop music|pop]] and several major [[rhythm-and-blues|R&B]] hits. However, Burke was not able to break through into the mainstream as did [[Sam Cooke]] or [[Otis Redding]], who covered Burke's "[[Down in the Valley (Solomon Burke song)|Down in the Valley]]" for 1965's ''[[Otis Blue]]''.
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Burke's powerful singing and stage presence were well-received by live audiences, as well as both peers and critics. However, he was not able to break through into the mainstream. He moved to the Bell label in 1969, and recorded for Dunhill, MGM, and Chess labels in the 70s.
  
In 1965, he topped the R&B charts with "Got to Get You Off of My Mind." Burke moved to the Bell label in 1969, and recorded for Dunhill, MGM, and Chess labels in the 1970s. He would continue to tour with 21-piece band through 1990s.
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In the 80s and 90s, Burke was one of the chief exponents of classic [[soul music]], touring and producing [[record albums]] in a [[style]] that merged his gospel and R&B roots. As a result, his music was mainly marketed to an [[audience]] that appreciated Burke's musical roots rather than [[pop music]]. Burke's live and recorded music remained a favorite of those who wanted to experience a legendary [[soul singer]] who had maintained his original style. In 1987, he appeared in the movie ''[[The Big Easy (film)|The Big Easy]]'' as Daddy Mention. He would continue to tour with a 21-piece band through the 1990s.
  
In the 1980s and 1990s, Burke was one of the chief exponents of classic [[soul music]], while  touring and producing [[record albums]] in a [[style]] that merged his gospel and R&B roots. As a result, his music was mainly marketed to an [[audience]] that appreciated Burke's musical roots rather than [[pop music]]. Burke's live and recorded music remained a favorite of those who wanted to experience a legendary [[soul singer]] who had maintained their original style.
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===Later career===
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Known as a successful family man with a huge number of grandchildren, in 2000 Burke and his family were invited to perform at the Jubilee of the Family at the [[Vatican]]. Since then, he has been invited back to the Vatican by both [[Pope John Paul II]] and [[Pope Benedict XVI]] for the Vatican's [[Christmas]] celebration. He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001.
  
In 1987, he appeared in the movie ''[[The Big Easy (film)|The Big Easy]]'' as Daddy Mention.  
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[[File:Solomon Burke HagenU.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Solomon Burke performing onstage on his golden throne]]
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Burke's career was revived to some degree in 2002 with the release of ''[[Don't Give Up On Me]]'' on [[Fat Possum Records]], in which he sang songs written specifically for the [[album]] by top-rank [[musician|artists]], including [[Bob Dylan]], [[Brian Wilson]], [[Van Morrison]], and [[Elvis Costello]]. The album won the [[Grammy Award]] for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
  
Burke has enjoyed a special relationship with the [[Catholic Church]] throughout his life and in 2000, he and his family were invited to perform at the Jubilee of the Family at the Vatican. Since then, he has been invited back to the [[Apostolic Palace|Vatican]] by both [[Pope John Paul II]] and [[Pope Benedict XVI]] for Vatican's Christmas celebration.  
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In 2004, Burke was featured in the 2004 movie ''Lightning in a Bottle'', singing "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Down in the Valley." In the same year he was featured on the song "I Pray On Christmas" on the [[Blind Boys Of Alabama]] album ''[[Go Tell It on the Mountain (album)|Go Tell It On The Mountain]]'', which won a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album|Best Traditional Gospel Album]]. Also in 2004, Burke recorded a [[duet (music)|duet]] with [[Italian people|Italian]] soul singer [[Zucchero]].  
  
He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001.
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In September 2006, Burke returned to his country roots with the release of a 14-track album titled ''Nashville.'' It included guest vocals from [[Emmylou Harris]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Patty Griffin]], [[Gillian Welch]], and [[Patty Loveless]]. He also made a number of memorable live performance, including duets with [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] at his "Last Man Standing" concert in New York (2006) and guest slots on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' and ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]''. In 2007, Burke co-hosted a celebration of Atlantic Records founder [[Ahmet Ertegun]]'s life's work at [[Lincoln Center]] in New York.
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{{readout||right|250px|Solomon Burke often performed his concerts while seated on a golden throne}}
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In June 2008, he released a new album, ''Like A Fire,'' with songs written by [[Ben Harper]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Jesse Harris]], and [[Keb' Mo']], for which he received a Grammy nomination. This was followed by a European summer tour with concerts in [[Portugal]], [[England]], [[Denmark]], [[Germany]], [[Belgium]], [[Austria]], [[France]], [[Switzerland]], [[Norway]], [[Slovakia]], and [[Sweden]]. On these last tours he often performed seated (usually in royal "King Solomon" splendor). Nevertheless, he remained an infectiously energetic presence on stage.
  
His career was to some degree revived in 2002, with the release of ''[[Don't Give Up On Me]]'' on [[Fat Possum Records]] and produced by [[Joe Henry]], where he sang songs written specifically for the [[album]] by various top-rank [[musician|artists]], including [[Bob Dylan]], [[Brian Wilson]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Elvis Costello]], and [[Tom Waits]]. ''Don't Give Up On Me'' won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
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In 2010, Burke came out with the Willie Mitchell-produced ''Nothing's Impossible'' for E1 Entertainment, for which he also received a Grammy nomination. Later in 2010, he released his final album, ''Hold on Tight'', a collaboration album with De Dijk, a Dutch band.
  
Burke is featured in the 2004 movie ''Lightning in a Bottle'', singing "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Down in the Valley." In 2004, Solomon appeared on [[Junkie XL]]'s album, ''[[Radio JXL: A Broadcast From the Computer Hell Cabin]]'', performing "Catch Up To My Step." Also in 2004 he was featured on the song "I Pray On Christmas" from the [[Blind Boys Of Alabama]] album ''[[Go Tell It on the Mountain (album)|Go Tell It On The Mountain]]'', which won a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album|Best Traditional Gospel Album]].
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===Death===
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[[File:Solomon Burke Grave.JPG|thumb|200px|Grave of Solomon Burke at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills]]
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On October 10, 2010, Burke died at [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam Schiphol Airport]] while on a plane from Washington Dulles Airport that had just landed. He had been due to perform with [[De Dijk]] in [[Amsterdam]] on October 12. His death was due to natural causes.
  
In 2004, Burke also recorded a [[duet (music)|duet]] with [[Italian people|Italian]] soul singer [[Zucchero]]. The two artists performed Zucchero's hit "Diavolo in me" (Devil in Me), on the duets album ''[[Zu & Co.]]'' Burke was also a guest at a London show in May 2004 in which Zucchero presented the album. This performance is included on Zucchero's [[DVD]] ''Zu & Co.—Live at the Royal Albert Hall''.
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Burke's funeral was held on October 22, 2010, at the City of Refuge in [[Gardena, California]] and was open to the public. It was [[simulcast]] on the internet and at a memorial service held at the Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia that was led by Minister Lester Fields and Solomon's younger sister, Apostle Laurena Burke Corbin, and attended by Burke's extended [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] family.
  
In 2005, he appeared as a special guest with [[Jools Holland]] on his autumn tour of the [[United Kingdom]], including two sell-out shows at [[London]]'s [[Royal Albert Hall]].
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Burke was buried in the Murmuring Trees section of the [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Hollywood Hills]], Los Angeles, California.
  
In September 2006, Burke returned to his country roots with the release of a 14-track country album titled ''Nashville,'' [[record producer|produced]] by [[Buddy Miller]]. It included guest vocals from [[Emmylou Harris]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Patty Griffin]], [[Gillian Welch]], and [[Patty Loveless]]. On Septmber 25, 2006, Burke was joined by a host of top country stars and backed by Buddy Miller and his Band at the Belcourt Theater in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] for a one-off concert to celebrate the release of ''Nashville''. The concert was filmed by [[HDNet]] and was released on DVD in [[Europe]] on September 17, 2007.
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==Legacy==
 
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Even though Burke was not a pop hit-maker—he never had a top-20 hit on the pop charts—he made his mark as an important early pioneer in [[soul music]]. While recording for Atlantic Records in the 1960s, he infused a country sound into his R & B works, producing unique melodic [[ballads]] with sophisticated arrangements. His highly polished, emotional songs, which combined [[gospel]], pop, and country influences, set the [[pattern]] for successful, early soul music. Burke's music played a major role in influencing major [[artist]]s like the [[Rolling Stones]], who on their early [[album]]s covered Burke's "Cry to Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love."
On September 28, 2006, Burke was among the several rock, soul, and country legends that sang along with [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] at the live concert "Last Man Standing" at the Sony Music Studio in [[New York City|New York]]. The two duets were "Who Will the Next Fool Be" and "Today I Started Lovin' You Again."
 
 
 
In February 2007, Burke performed on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' and later on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]''. ''The Tonight Show'' performance was accompanied by The Tonight Show Band members and bandleader [[Kevin Eubanks]] on lead guitar. On ''Late Night'' he performed with Buddy Miller "That's How I Got To Memphis," from Burke's album ''Nashville''.
 
 
 
As of October 2007, Burke was the father of 21 children (14 daughters and seven sons), 89 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. On July 15, 2008, Burke confirmed to his audience at the Juan Les Pins Jazz Festival in France that he would soon have 90 grandchildren. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the [[music industry]], though none are as renowned as their patriarch. One of his grandsons, Novel, released his first studio album in October 2008. His daughter, Candy Burke, was a backing singer for the first time at a Burke performance in the July 2008 Juan Les Pins concert, where she performed a rendition of "I Will Survive" to rapturous applause from the crowd.
 
 
 
As one of the early artists at [[Atlantic Records]], in 2007 Burke honored [[Ahmet Ertegün]], the co-founder of Atlantic Records and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Burke co-hosted the March 2007 celebration of Ertegun's life's work at Lincoln Center in New York, participated in the American Master's [[film documentary|documentary]] ''Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built,'' and in December 2007, Burke performed at the private after-party for the [[Led Zeppelin]] reunion concert at [[The O2 arena (London)|The O<sub>2</sub>]] in [[Greenwich]], London, along with [[Ben E. King]], [[Percy Sledge]], and [[Sam Moore]].
 
 
 
In January 2008, Solomon went back to the [[recording studio]] to record with the producer/[[drummer]] [[Steve Jordan (musician)|Steve Jordan]]. The album titled ''Like A Fire'' has songs written specifically for Burke by [[Ben Harper]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Jesse Harris]], [[Keb' Mo']], Meegan Voss, and Steve Jordan and was released on June 10, 2008.
 
  
Burke joined Widespread Panic on stage for None of Us Are Free at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles on June 20, 2008. He performed at the [[Bonnaroo Music Festival]] on June 15, 2008, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival on June 22, 2008, and for the first time in his career at England's [[Glastonbury Festival]] on June 29, 2008. This was part of his European 2008 Summer Tour, and included concerts in Portugal, England, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Austria, France, Switzerland, Norway, Slovakia, and Sweden.
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Considered a [[soul music]] legend, Solomon Burke was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the [[music industry]].  
  
==Legacy==
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[[Neil Portnow]], President/CEO of [[The Recording Academy]], praised Burke soon after his death:
Even though Solomon Burke never was considered a pop-hit maker—he never had a top-20 hit—he made his mark as an important early pioneer in [[soul music]]. While recording for Atlantic records in the 1960s, he infused a country sound into his R&B works, producing unique melodic [[ballads]] with sophisticated arrangements. His highly polished, emotional songs, which combined of [[gospel]], pop, and country influences, set the [[pattern]] for successful, early soul music. Burke's music played a major role in influencing major [[artist]]s like the [[Rolling Stones]], who on their early [[album]]s covered Burke's "Cry to Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love."
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<blockquote>A deeply spiritual man, his love and passion for his craft kept him touring and performing to sold-out audiences right up to his final days ... The music industry has lost one of its most distinctive voices.<ref>[https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/solomon-burke-dies Solomon Burke Dies] ''Grammy Awards''. Retrieved November 24, 2019.</ref></blockquote>
  
[[Soul]] legend Solomon Burke was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001.
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==Discography==
 
 
===Discography===
 
 
<div style="width:50%; float:left">
 
<div style="width:50%; float:left">
*''You Can Run But You Can't Hide'' - 1958 (Apollo)
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*''You Can Run But You Can't Hide''--1958 (Apollo)
*''Solomon Burke'' - 1962 (Kenwood)
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*''Solomon Burke''--1962 (Kenwood)
*''[[Rock 'n' Soul]]'' - 1964 (Atlantic)
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*''[[Rock 'n' Soul]]''--1964 (Atlantic)
*''The Rest of Solomon Burke'' - 1965 (Atlantic)
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*''The Rest of Solomon Burke''--1965 (Atlantic)
*''I Wish I Knew'' - 1968 (Atlantic)
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*''I Wish I Knew''--1968 (Atlantic)
*''King Solomon'' - 1968 (Sequel)
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*''King Solomon''--1968 (Sequel)
*''Proud Mary'' - 1969  
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*''Proud Mary''--1969  
*''King Heavy'' - 1972  
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*''King Heavy''--1972  
*''Electronic Magnetism'' - 1972
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*''Electronic Magnetism''--1972
*''I Have a Dream'' - 1974
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*''I Have a Dream''--1974
*''Back to My Roots'' - 1975
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*''Back to My Roots''--1975
*''Music to Make Love By'' - 1975
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*''Music to Make Love By''--1975
*''Sidewalks, Fences & Walls'' - 1979
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*''Sidewalks, Fences & Walls''--1979
*''Lord We Need a Miracle'' - 1979
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*''Lord We Need a Miracle''--1979
*''Get Up and Do Something'' - 1979
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*''Get Up and Do Something''--1979
*''King of Rock 'n' Soul'' - 1981
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*''King of Rock 'n' Soul''--1981
*''Take Me, Shake Me [live]'' - 1983
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*''Take Me, Shake Me [live]''--1983
 +
*''Soul Alive!''—1984
 +
*''A Change is Gonna Come''—1986
 
</div>
 
</div>
*''Soul Alive!'' - 1984
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*''Love Trap''--1987
*''A Change is Gonna Come'' - 1986
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*''Into My Life You Came''--1990
*''Love Trap'' - 1987
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*''This is His''--1990
*''Into My Life You Came'' - 1990
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*''Homeland''--1990
*''This is His'' - 1990
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*''Soul of the Blues''--1993
*''Homeland'' - 1990
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*''Live at House of Blues''--1994
*''Soul of the Blues'' - 1993
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*''Definition of Soul''--1997
*''Live at House of Blues'' - 1994
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*''We Need a Miracle''--1998
*''Definition of Soul'' - 1997
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*''Not By Water But Fire This Time''--1999
*''We Need a Miracle' - 1998
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*''Soulman''--2002
*''Not By Water But Fire This Time'' - 1999
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*''[[Don't Give Up On Me|Don't Give Up on Me]]''--2002
*''Soulman'' - 2002
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*''The Incredible Solomon Burke at His Best''--2002
*''[[Don't Give Up On Me|Don't Give Up on Me]]'' - 2002
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*''The Apollo Album''--2003
*''The Incredible Solomon Burke at His Best'' - 2002
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*''Make Do With What You Got''--2005
*''The Apollo Album'' - 2003
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*''Nashville''--2006
*''Make Do With What You Got'' - 2005
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*''Like a Fire--2008
*''Nashville'' - 2006
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*''Nothing's Impossible''—2010
*''Like a Fire - 2008
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*''Hold on Tight'' (with De Dijk)—2010
 
</div><br clear=all>
 
</div><br clear=all>
 
====Other contributions====
 
*''[[Lifted: Songs of the Spirit]]'' - 2002 - "None of Us Are Free"
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
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<references/>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
*Burke, Solomon, et. al. ''Darker Blues''. Oxford, Miss.: Fat Possum Records, 2002.
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* Burke, Solomon. ''Make Do with What You Got''. Los Angeles: Shout! Factory, 2005. ISBN 9780738930657.
ISBN 978-0972435208
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* DeRemer, Leigh Ann. ''Contemporary Musicians. Volume 36: Profiles of the People in Music''. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group/Thomson Learning, 2002. ISBN 9780787660260.  
*Burke, Solomon. ''Make Do with What You Got''. Los Angeles: Shout! Factory, 2005. ISBN 978-0738930657
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* George-Warren, Holly, Patricia Romanowski, and Jon Pareles. ''The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll''. New York: Fireside, 2001. ISBN 9780743201209.
*DeRemer, Leigh Ann. ''Contemporary Musicians. Volume 36: Profiles of the People in Music''. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale Group/Thomson Learning, 2002. ISBN 978-0787660260
+
* Rhino/Findaway World, Llc. ''The Definitive Collection''. Chagrin, Falls, OH: Findaway World, 2008. ISBN 9781605145488.
*Findaway World, Llc. ''The Definitive Collection''. Chagrin, Falls, Ohio: Findaway World, 2008. ISBN 978-1605145488
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* Whitburn, Joel. ''Top R and B Singles, 1942-1999''. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research Inc., 2000. ISBN 9780898201369.
*George-Warren, Holly; Romanowski, Patricia; and Pareles, Jon. ''The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll''. New York: Fireside, 2001. ISBN 978-0743201209
 
*Whitburn, Joel. ''Top R and B Singles, 1942-1999''. Menomonee Falls, Wis.: Record Research Inc., 2000. ISBN 978-0898201369
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
* [http://www.thekingsolomonburke.com Solomon Burke]—official website.  
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All links retrieved February 3, 2023.
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Solomon+Burke Solomon Burke] discography at [[Discogs]].
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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbseZp1nbDg Burke sings "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love"]
* [http://www.soulexpress.net/burkedg.htm Solomon Burke] discography at [[Soul Express]].
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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpLg6yZyrXw "If You Need Me (Call Me)"]
* [http://www.tracksmusic.com/reviews/solomon_makedo.htm Make Do With What You Got]—TracksMusic review.
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* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Solomon+Burke Solomon Burke discography]  
* [http://www.musicbox-online.com/sb-make.html Make Do With What You Got]—The Music Box review.
 
* [http://pressphotos.beatesandor.com/2005/Chicago/SB/index.html Solomon Burke photos] at the Gospel Festival Chicago IL, 2005].
 
* [http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/solomon-burke Solomon Burke biography] at the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].
 
 
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifpxqw5ldfe~T1 Solomon Burke] page at [[AllMusic]].  
 
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifpxqw5ldfe~T1 Solomon Burke] page at [[AllMusic]].  
* [http://www.honesttune.com/content/view/1030/49/ Solomon Burke Gets His Due] by Tim Newby, from [[HonestTune.com]].  
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*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59864327 Solomon Burke] ''Find-A-Grave''.
 
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burke, Solomon}}
 
  
 
[[Category:art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
[[Category:art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]

Latest revision as of 01:00, 4 February 2023

Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke.jpg
Background information
Also known as "The King of Rock 'N Soul," "Big Sol"
Born March 21 1940(1940-03-21)
Died October 10 2010
(aged 70)
Genre(s) Gospel, R&B, Soul
Occupation(s) singer, songwriter
Years active 1960s – 2010
Label(s) Kenwood Records, Atlantic, Sequel, Fat Possum Records
Website www.thekingsolomonburke.com

Solomon Burke (born James Solomon McDonald, March 21, 1940 – October 10, 2010) was an American rhythm and blues performer and songwriter who, despite only moderate success as a recording artist, has had a major impact on the music business. A Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Burke drew from gospel, soul, and blues to create a unique R&B style when the genre was still in its formative stages.

Beginning his career as a gospel music artist and preacher, after he signed with Atlantic Records in the 1960s, his career focused along secular lines. He had a string of R&B hits, including "Cry to Me," "If You Need Me (Call Me)," "Tonight's the Night," and "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)." Most of his music, however, did not cross over to the pop charts as did fellow gospel-turned R & B stars Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. Burke nevertheless reached mainstream audiences through his writing of the iconic R & B hit "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," which became widely known from covers by The Rolling Stones, Pickett, and the soundtrack of the hit movie The Blues Brothers.

In the late 1960s, Burke left Atlantic and signed with several labels over the next decade. His biggest hit came in 1969: A cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary." In later decades he toured widely and performed at numerous R&B retrospective concerts, where his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence made him a popular attraction.

Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" is included on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Biography

Burke was born James Solomon McDonald on March 21, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before his teens, he was already preaching at his family's church in Philadelphia and hosting his own gospel radio show. As a young adult, he continued working in the gospel radio business and preaching. He recorded gospel and some R&B on the Apollo label in the late 50s. In 1960, he signed with Atlantic Records and, like several other gospel singers of the era, began moving towards more secular music.

R & B success

His first minor hit was "Just Out of Reach of My Open Arms" in 1961, a cover of a country song. In 1962 he reached the R & B Top Five with "Cry to Me," followed the next year by the hit recording of "If You Need Me (Call Me)." In 1964, he wrote and recorded his best-known song, "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love." The song was almost immediately covered by The Rolling Stones and later by Wilson Pickett, who paid tribute to Burke in his preaching-style introduction to the song. In 1965, Burke topped the R&B charts with "Got to Get You Off of My Mind." In 1980, "Everybody Needs Somebody" reached new audiences and became a rock and R & B standard when it was performed by John Belushi and Dan Akroyd in the climactic concert scene of the hit movie The Blues Brothers.

Burke's powerful singing and stage presence were well-received by live audiences, as well as both peers and critics. However, he was not able to break through into the mainstream. He moved to the Bell label in 1969, and recorded for Dunhill, MGM, and Chess labels in the 70s.

In the 80s and 90s, Burke was one of the chief exponents of classic soul music, touring and producing record albums in a style that merged his gospel and R&B roots. As a result, his music was mainly marketed to an audience that appreciated Burke's musical roots rather than pop music. Burke's live and recorded music remained a favorite of those who wanted to experience a legendary soul singer who had maintained his original style. In 1987, he appeared in the movie The Big Easy as Daddy Mention. He would continue to tour with a 21-piece band through the 1990s.

Later career

Known as a successful family man with a huge number of grandchildren, in 2000 Burke and his family were invited to perform at the Jubilee of the Family at the Vatican. Since then, he has been invited back to the Vatican by both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for the Vatican's Christmas celebration. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Solomon Burke performing onstage on his golden throne

Burke's career was revived to some degree in 2002 with the release of Don't Give Up On Me on Fat Possum Records, in which he sang songs written specifically for the album by top-rank artists, including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, and Elvis Costello. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

In 2004, Burke was featured in the 2004 movie Lightning in a Bottle, singing "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Down in the Valley." In the same year he was featured on the song "I Pray On Christmas" on the Blind Boys Of Alabama album Go Tell It On The Mountain, which won a Grammy for Best Traditional Gospel Album. Also in 2004, Burke recorded a duet with Italian soul singer Zucchero.

In September 2006, Burke returned to his country roots with the release of a 14-track album titled Nashville. It included guest vocals from Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, and Patty Loveless. He also made a number of memorable live performance, including duets with Jerry Lee Lewis at his "Last Man Standing" concert in New York (2006) and guest slots on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. In 2007, Burke co-hosted a celebration of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun's life's work at Lincoln Center in New York.

Did you know?
Solomon Burke often performed his concerts while seated on a golden throne

In June 2008, he released a new album, Like A Fire, with songs written by Ben Harper, Eric Clapton, Jesse Harris, and Keb' Mo', for which he received a Grammy nomination. This was followed by a European summer tour with concerts in Portugal, England, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Austria, France, Switzerland, Norway, Slovakia, and Sweden. On these last tours he often performed seated (usually in royal "King Solomon" splendor). Nevertheless, he remained an infectiously energetic presence on stage.

In 2010, Burke came out with the Willie Mitchell-produced Nothing's Impossible for E1 Entertainment, for which he also received a Grammy nomination. Later in 2010, he released his final album, Hold on Tight, a collaboration album with De Dijk, a Dutch band.

Death

Grave of Solomon Burke at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

On October 10, 2010, Burke died at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport while on a plane from Washington Dulles Airport that had just landed. He had been due to perform with De Dijk in Amsterdam on October 12. His death was due to natural causes.

Burke's funeral was held on October 22, 2010, at the City of Refuge in Gardena, California and was open to the public. It was simulcast on the internet and at a memorial service held at the Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia that was led by Minister Lester Fields and Solomon's younger sister, Apostle Laurena Burke Corbin, and attended by Burke's extended East Coast family.

Burke was buried in the Murmuring Trees section of the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Legacy

Even though Burke was not a pop hit-maker—he never had a top-20 hit on the pop charts—he made his mark as an important early pioneer in soul music. While recording for Atlantic Records in the 1960s, he infused a country sound into his R & B works, producing unique melodic ballads with sophisticated arrangements. His highly polished, emotional songs, which combined gospel, pop, and country influences, set the pattern for successful, early soul music. Burke's music played a major role in influencing major artists like the Rolling Stones, who on their early albums covered Burke's "Cry to Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love."

Considered a soul music legend, Solomon Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the music industry.

Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, praised Burke soon after his death:

A deeply spiritual man, his love and passion for his craft kept him touring and performing to sold-out audiences right up to his final days ... The music industry has lost one of its most distinctive voices.[1]

Discography

  • You Can Run But You Can't Hide—1958 (Apollo)
  • Solomon Burke—1962 (Kenwood)
  • Rock 'n' Soul—1964 (Atlantic)
  • The Rest of Solomon Burke—1965 (Atlantic)
  • I Wish I Knew—1968 (Atlantic)
  • King Solomon—1968 (Sequel)
  • Proud Mary—1969
  • King Heavy—1972
  • Electronic Magnetism—1972
  • I Have a Dream—1974
  • Back to My Roots—1975
  • Music to Make Love By—1975
  • Sidewalks, Fences & Walls—1979
  • Lord We Need a Miracle—1979
  • Get Up and Do Something—1979
  • King of Rock 'n' Soul—1981
  • Take Me, Shake Me [live]—1983
  • Soul Alive!—1984
  • A Change is Gonna Come—1986
  • Love Trap—1987
  • Into My Life You Came—1990
  • This is His—1990
  • Homeland—1990
  • Soul of the Blues—1993
  • Live at House of Blues—1994
  • Definition of Soul—1997
  • We Need a Miracle—1998
  • Not By Water But Fire This Time—1999
  • Soulman—2002
  • Don't Give Up on Me—2002
  • The Incredible Solomon Burke at His Best—2002
  • The Apollo Album—2003
  • Make Do With What You Got—2005
  • Nashville—2006
  • Like a Fire—2008
  • Nothing's Impossible—2010
  • Hold on Tight (with De Dijk)—2010


Notes

  1. Solomon Burke Dies Grammy Awards. Retrieved November 24, 2019.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Burke, Solomon. Make Do with What You Got. Los Angeles: Shout! Factory, 2005. ISBN 9780738930657.
  • DeRemer, Leigh Ann. Contemporary Musicians. Volume 36: Profiles of the People in Music. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group/Thomson Learning, 2002. ISBN 9780787660260.
  • George-Warren, Holly, Patricia Romanowski, and Jon Pareles. The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. New York: Fireside, 2001. ISBN 9780743201209.
  • Rhino/Findaway World, Llc. The Definitive Collection. Chagrin, Falls, OH: Findaway World, 2008. ISBN 9781605145488.
  • Whitburn, Joel. Top R and B Singles, 1942-1999. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research Inc., 2000. ISBN 9780898201369.

External links

All links retrieved February 3, 2023.

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