Solomon Burke: The King of Rock’n’Soul
Solomon was nominated for his second Grammy 2011 for the Best Contemporary Blues Album, NOTHINGS IMPOSSIBLE. The 2001 Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer sadly did not live to see the result of the nomination to be announced on February 13, 2011. Solomon Burke passed away October 10, 2010 at the age of 70 aboard an airplane taking him to Amsterdam to perform in a sold out concert with DeDijk, whom is featured on his upcoming Album to be released March 2011 titled HOLD ON TIGHT. His career spanned some 50 years of Rock n' Roll Soul infused with gospel and country. As a son of a preacher women and preacher grandmother, he himself an ordained minister and mortician, begin singing and preaching Gods word at the early age of seven. He began his recording career in 1955 as a gospel singer, and by 1961 he was recording Rock ‘n’ Soul, and became extremely successful with six Top Ten R/B Hits and four of those crossed over to the Pop Top 40, and never looked back.
Solomon was once quoted saying “The only thing I don’t know is what key I was crying in when I came into this world”. He was a pillar of religious faith, and music was in his soul until the day he died. He is probably singing praises to the Lord this very minute. The father of 21 children, 90 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, once said: “I got lost on one of the Bible verses that said, ‘Be Fruitful and Multiply’, I didn’t read further”. He would never reveal how many women were the mothers of the 21 children; instead he would flash a devilish grin when asked.
He has sold 17 million records so far, released 35 singles and 38 studio albums, plus a mixture of collaborations with numerous artist. He was the definition of soul music in the 60’s, and his music has been recorded and re-recorded by almost everyone in the business at one time or another.
The Album NOTHINGS IMPOSSIBLE was a collaboration between Burke and the great Willie Mitchell who died suddenly in January of 2010 before the actual CD release date.
You may recognize some songs from Burke such as: “Cry To Me” which was re-recorded for the movie Dirty Dancing and songs like “Down In the Valley”, “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love”, and “Got To Get You Off My Mind” and many, many more. He was a colorful entertainer and loved to be among his fans, although his weight of 400+ pounds prevented him from standing during a performance. He was no less the entertainer, and he sang his heart out at each and every performance while seated on a throne like chair. Remember the King of Rock ‘n’ Soul, Solomon Burke.
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