Solomon Burke: King of Rock 'n' Soul
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke (1940-2010) was an American singer and songwriter who made significant contributions to the world of soul and rhythm and blues music. Known for his powerful and emotive voice, he was often referred to as the "King of Rock 'n' Soul" and played a pivotal role in shaping the development of these genres.
Key highlights of Solomon Burke
Some key highlights of Solomon Burke's career and contributions include:
Early Life and Gospel Background: Solomon Burke was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his upbringing was steeped in gospel music. He began his singing career as a child prodigy in the church, which greatly influenced his vocal style and stage presence.
Rise to Prominence
Burke signed with Atlantic Records in the early 1960s, and his hit singles such as "Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)" and "Cry to Me" helped establish him as a prominent figure in the soul and R&B music scenes. His music was characterized by a unique blend of gospel, country, and rhythm and blues influences.
Hits and Influence
Some of his other notable songs include "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" and "If You Need Me," both of which became classics in the genre. These tracks, among others, have been covered and reinterpreted by numerous artists, attesting to Burke's lasting influence on popular music.
Live Performer
Solomon Burke was renowned for his charismatic live performances. He often performed in a regal manner, wearing a crown and cape, and his shows were a blend of soulful singing and spiritual sermons. He could connect with audiences on a deep emotional level.
Legacy
Solomon Burke's contributions to music were recognized with several awards and honors, including a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. His legacy continues to be celebrated by contemporary musicians, and his influence can be heard in the work of artists across various genres.
Later Career
Despite facing ups and downs in his career, Burke continued to perform and record music throughout his life. His 2002 album "Don't Give Up on Me" earned critical acclaim and won a Grammy Award.
Solomon Burke's music transcended traditional genre boundaries, making him a significant figure in the evolution of American music. He left a lasting impact on soul and R&B, and his rich, emotional vocals continue to resonate with music lovers and artists alike. Burke passed away in 2010, but his music lives on as a testament to his enduring influence on the world of music.
Solomon Burke was a minister and renowned singer of rhythm & blues and soul music with a career stretching from the 1950s to his death in 2010. Although never reaching chart-topping fame, Burke is heralded as one of one of the best soul singers of all time.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 21, 1940, Burke was quickly wrapped in a world of faith that gave him inspiration for his musical career. By age 7 in 1947, he had given his first sermon, by 12 in 1952 he was a minister who was called the “Wonder Boy Preacher, and by 21 in 1961, he was an ordained bishop of his Philadelphia church, the nonsectarian House of Prayer for All People.
His music career began at age 14 in 1954 after he was scouted out by a DJ in Philadelphia who brought him to a recording studio in New York where he quickly produced his first hit, “Christmas Presents from Heaven” in 1955.
The path was not always smooth for Solomon Burke. In 1957 the 17-year-old was dropped by his first manager, Kae Williams, after a pay dispute. Upon losing his music career, Burke became homeless and broke because his parents had already thrown him out of the house for singing secular music. Burke was forced to live in abandoned cars.
Between 1957 and 1961, Burke worked briefly as a mortician, work which he later claimed he found rewarding during his time in the business. He also married and began having children both in and out of wedlock, beginning a trend that would lead to, at the time of his death in 2010, a family of 21 children, 91 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.
In 1961, Burke received a chance to return to the music business. He signed with Atlantic records and began to bring out several hit songs such as “Down in the Valley,” released in 1962, and “Cry to Me,” also released in 1962. Over the next thirty years Burke would have a prolific music career, releasing 18 albums, selling more than 17 million records, and touring worldwide to perform before lovers of soul music. His greatest success, however, came with the hits of the early 1960s.
Outside of his music career, Solomon Burke was active as a member of his church community in his House of Prayer for All People. He remained the leader of the congregation until his death at age 70.
Solomon Burke died on a plane at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 10, 2010 after a fourteen-hour flight from Los Angeles, California. He had come to Amsterdam to launch Hold On Tight, a joint album with the Dutch rock band De Dijk. At the time he was on his way to a sold-out performance in Amsterdam.
Solomon Burke's albums
Solomon Burke – 1962 (Apollo 498) Reissued 1964 (Kenwood KLP-498) Reissued 2000 (P-Vine)
Solomon Burke's Greatest Hits – 1962 (Atlantic 8067)
If You Need Me – 1963 (Atlantic 8085)
I Almost Lost My Mind – 1964 (Clarion 607)[1]
Rock 'n' Soul – 1964 (Atlantic 8096)
The Best of Solomon Burke – 1965 (Atlantic 8109) #6 R&B, #141 Pop
King Solomon – 1968 (Atlantic 8158)
I Wish I Knew – 1968 (Atlantic 8185)
Proud Mary – 1969 (Bell 6033) #140 Pop, chart run – 4 weeks
The Electronic Magnetism (also known as King Heavy) – 1971 (MGM 4767)
Cool Breeze [soundtrack] – 1972 (MGM, 1 SE 35 ST)
We're Almost Home – 1972 (MGM 4830)
History of Solomon Burke – 1972 (Pride 0011)
I Have a Dream – 1974 (ABC/Dunhill ABC 50161)
Music to Make Love By – 1975 (Chess 60042) #54 Soul, chart run – 6 weeks
Back to My Roots – 1976 (Chess 19002)
Sidewalks, Fences and Walls – 1979 (Infinity 9024)
From The Heart – 1981 (Charly R&B CRB 1024)
Lord, I Need a Miracle Right Now – 1981 (Savoy 14660)
Into My Life You Came – 1982 (Savoy 14679)
Take Me, Shake Me – 1983 (Savoy 14717)
This Is His Song – 1984 (Savoy 14738)
Soul Alive! – 1984 (Rounder 2042/2043)
A Change Is Gonna Come – 1986 (Rounder 2053)
Love Trap – 1987 (Royalty-Gate MCI Records/Isis-Voice 21336)
Homeland – 1991 (Bizarre/Straight 70558)
Soul of the Blues – 1993 (Black Top 1095)
Live at the House of the Blues – 1994 (Black Top 1108)
The Definition of Soul – 1997 (Pointblank 42557)
Not by Water But Fire This Time – 1999 (GTR 0237)
Christmas All Over the World – 1999 (One)
The Commitment – 2001 (GTROC7994251SB, Canada)
Don't Give Up on Me – 2002 (ANTI-/Fat Possum 80358)
Make Do With What You Got – 2005 (Shout! Factory, DK 34357)
Nashville – 2006 (Shout! Factory 826663-10179)
Like a Fire – 2008 (Shout! Factory 826663-10846)
Nothing's Impossible – 2010 (E1, E1E-CD-2086)
Hold On Tight (with De Dijk) – 2010 (Universal Music)
Solomon Burke's Live albums
Live in Nashville (Snapper) – 2007 – DVD
The Last Great Concert, Switzerland 2008 – 2012 (Floating World Records)
Live at Montreux 2006 – 2013 (Eagle Records)
Solomon Burke's quotes
Solomon Burke's career and music left a lasting impact on the world of soul and rhythm and blues, and his words often carried profound wisdom and insight. Here are a few quotes attributed to him:
"I think all of us are in the mood to find love."
"My music is the love of my life."
"I didn't grow up with gospel. I grew up with gospel, country, blues, and R&B, and that's the style I love to sing."
"I don't care what the song's about. To me, it's the emotion that counts."
"I think I've been an inspiration to people. It's why I'm here. It's my heart, my spirit. That's what God told me to do."
"I don't perform, I get in my subconscious and I just go with the flow."
"I was always in the church. I sang gospel and preached from the age of 10. It's just in my blood."
"It's a beautiful thing when you have it, and it's beautiful when it's gone."
These quotes reflect Solomon Burke's deep connection to music, his spirituality, and the emotional depth that he brought to his performances and songs.
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