R.I.P. Solomon Burke, 'King of Rock 'n' Soul'
Categories: R.I.P.
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| Solomon Burke in the '60s |
Burke, 70, died of natural causes early Sunday morning on a plane at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, according to the AP. He was to perform a sold-out show there in a converted church.
A huge man with a huge, powerful voice, Burke helped refine the mix of gospel, country, and pop that became 1960s soul. His singing and songwriting talents earn him a spot in the genre's pantheon next to legends like Otis Redding and James Brown, but Burke never had a Top 20 hit.
The onetime preacher, licensed mortician, and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer only won his first Grammy in 2002, with the comeback album "Don't Give Up On Me," which was released by the blues/indie-rock label Fat Possum.
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| Nigel Skeet |
| Burke in Los Angeles in 2008 |
Burke's "Got to Get You off My Mind" played a key role in Nick Hornby's classic (for music nerds, anyway) novel High Fidelity, sparking the relationship between the main character, Rob, and his girlfriend Laura. (The song wasn't mentioned in the film adaptation, although Burke was referred to in several places.)
Never remunerated or widely known the way some of his peers in '60s soul were, Burke continued to perform live until the end of his life. In later years, he belted his room-shaking songs while seated in a giant red throne onstage.
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| Todd Melet |
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