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Solomon Burke Rip

Solomon Burke Rip magazine cover

Solomon Burke has died at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport,

 

RIP big man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

below added by site

full article and more clips can be found at

 

http://www.thekingsolomonburke.com/

 

 

SOLOMON BURKE - Biography

 

At a time when rock and roll was in its infancy and R&B was just starting to get its groove on, Solomon Burke burst onto the scene, shattered the cultural barriers of the time, scored a massive hit with "Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms)" and quickly redefined the way the world would think about music. Conquering hearts, moving hips and electrifying fans in ways no one thought possible, the Philadelphia born legend's soul-stirring smashes and charismatic presence captured the imagination of young people like no one else of his era. Dubbed by legendary Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler as "the best soul singer of all time," Burke, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer since 2001, is more than simply a pioneering American legend from another time and place--he is an innovator whose timeless music spans generations and has inspired millions of fans and hundreds of recording artists across the decades.

 

While teaching him to clearly enunciate the words to such songs as Gene Autry's "Back In The Saddle Again," Burke's grandmother Eleanor Moore was a powerful spiritual medium who kept him in a futurist world as a child with her spiritual vision and projections of what his life would become. So perhaps it was all fore-ordained "the 17 million record sales; a soul standard ("Everybody Needs Somebody To Love") that was covered by everyone from The Rolling Stones to Wilson Pickett and The Blues Brothers; a career resurrecting 2002 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album (Don't Give Up On Me) that introduced his genius to a whole new generation; one of his best known hits "Cry To Me" being used in the dance and seduction scene in "Dirty Dancing"; a performance for one of his biggest fans, Pope John Paul II, at the Vatican in 2000, and subsequent invitations to the Vatican's Christmas celebration by John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI; and the achievement the singer calls his greatest, his astounding family of 21 children (14 daughters, 7 sons), 90 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

 

Very soon after the demise of his grandmother, Burke found himself recording at age 14 for the independent Apollo label, where he turned his first song ever, "Christmas Presents From Heaven," into a million selling gospel hit. Sensing a powerhouse sensation in the making, R&B tastemakers Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun, with the help of Burke's manager Babe Shivan, brought him to Atlantic in 1960, where Burke would spend the next decade defining and redefining the essence of American soul music where gospel merged with pop and secular R&B. The singer broke through in 1961 with a cover of the country standard "Just Out Of Reach Of My Two Empty Arms" that was a quick smash on the R&B and pop charts; many credit Burke's unique blend of R&B and country as opening the door for Ray Charles subsequent emergence.

 

Over the next seven years, Burke released 32 singles on Atlantic, many of which cracked both the R&B and pop charts, including six Top Ten R&B hits, four of which crossed over to the Top 40 -- "Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms)," "Cry To Me," "Got To Get You Off Of My Mind," "You're Good For Me," (penned by Don Covay), "Tonight's The Night" and "If You Need Me" (written by Wilson Pickett). Burke has also been credited with helping keep Atlantic Records solvent from 1961 to 1964 with his steady stream of hits.

 

The singer says of his songwriting influences: "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. Every song I write has a different meaning, and each one is special because it depends on the situation of the moment in time when I wrote it. I am always flattered by the way other artists interpret my songs, but in the end it doesn't matter how they do it. It's more important that the message of the song reaches people. A simple example is 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love' which is true for everyone. We all need somebody! If the message is meaningful in the beginning, it will reach across the waters and come back across time. If only one person is reached and touched by our songs, then the message through me is being heard, received and believed."

 

Burke eventually left Atlantic and his great 60s soul heyday behind, but continued recording vigorously throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, amassing a total of 22 soul and gospel albums during these years while taking time to raise his large brood. His recordings during this period include Electrophonic Magnetism, King Heavy, I Have a Dream, Back to My Roots, Music To Make Love By, Lord We Need A Miracle, Take Me, Shake Me, Soul Alive!, Soul Of The Blues, Live At The House of Blues and Definition Of Soul. In the 70s, he also worked behind the scenes for MGM, producing records and scoring films and TV. In 1987, the year "Cry To Me" was featured in Dirty Dancing, he appeared in the hit movie "The Big Easy" as "Daddy Mention." Since his 2001 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and first Grammy win a year later introduced him to a whole new generation, Burke has enjoyed an exciting new phase of his career which has included various collaborative recordings, late night talk show appearances, studio collaborations and, all in 2004, performances with the hipster likes of Junkie XL and Italian rock blues icon Zucchero (including a show at the Royal Albert Hall) and an appearance in the blues documentary "Lightning In A Bottle."

 

Earlier in 2009, Burke joined famed R&B producer Willie Mitchell at Mitchell's Royal Studio in Memphis to work together on a new recording, marking the first time the two have worked together in their careers. Burke's record label, The One Entertainment Systems, recently released Stepping Up & Stepping Out by former Blind Boys of Alabama members Clarence Fountain and Sam Butler; Burke served as its executive producer.

 

 

nothings impossible

 

 

http://thekingsolomonburke.com/audio/04_Nothing_s_Impossible_hifi.mp3




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Sad news indeed.

Saw 'The Big Man' a few years ago as a special guest of Jools Holland & Orchestra and although it was many years since his 60's heyday he still had 'that' voice.

Mick

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I just heard this on BBC TV too. Solomon was larger than life in personality and physique and a superb soul singer. Active until the end (he was coming to Europe to play shows in Amsterdam) he will be missed but will leave happy memories behind him.

''Got To Get You Off My Mind' was one of the first soul singles I ever heard on the radio and I still have my Atlantic copy.

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...he was coming to Europe to play shows in Amsterdam

He would have been playing the Paradiso in Amsterdam, on Tuesday.

(Funnily enough, we were at the Paradiso box office last night, looking to get tickets for Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings on 1st November.)

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Woke up this morning, switched on the computer to read my local newspaper in digiversion and saw the news about Solomon Burke´s passing. Very sad. One of the first (earliest and best) soul artists. Had the pleasure of hearing and watching him in concert a few years ago when he visited a local venue in Sweden where I live, he was sitting down throughout the whole concert, sitting down on a thrown as a King Solomon, or King of Soul. He came across as a very warm and friendly person who liked to converse with the audience and he gave us a wonderful performance featuring both old and new songs. One of his many children (or was it grandchildren) was in the band, a very energetic fellow who looked like a smaller and much more athletic version of Solomon B. An unforgettable evening. And looks like today will be a Solomon Burke day, will have to treat myself to some of the man´s best music today. Solomon Burke...R.I.P.

/Melismo

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A truly GREAT Soul Singer.

RIP Solomon Burke.

Sean

Ditto Sean.......Brilliant in every way. Also,kinda puts it into perspective a bit when the word Legend is applied to so many who arent necessarily deserving of the title,Solomon was in every respect a true LEGEND........If anyone hasnt yet done so,get yourself a copy of Sweet Soul Music by Peter Guralnick and take time to read the chapter on Solomon Burke,its a CLASSIC. Amongst other things,he used to sell sandwiches to the band on the tour bus ! He used to cook Pork Chops etc to sell to the crowd in the foyer at his own gigs! And the gig for the Ku Klux Klan in the South is stuff of legend.

Also,if you get a chance,then check out his Double Live Lp on rounder Records from the mid 80`s.......The best live lp going i reckon.......

Check these personal faves as well,theres many more of course. I cant imagine theres many on here who wont know most of these but you never know:

If You Need Me

Tonights The Night.

CryTo Me

Looking For My Baby

Everybody Needs Somebody

Stupidity

You And Your Baby Blues

Midnight And You

Please Dont You Say Goodbye To Me.

Im gonna miss him and im really gutted i never got a chance to see him live or meet him.......

Ivor

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Saw him in Newcastle about seven years ago - he was still on top form. It was great to see him get some well deserved recognition over the past few years - loved this track off the first 'comeback' album and it featured on 'The Wire' - quality Soul on quality TV - two rare occurrences these days! RIP

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RIP King Sol. I too saw him play in the town square during the summer fiestas a few years back, 2005/6 I think. Though he was sat on his 'throne' throughout the gig, he was a great communicator and had everybody up dancing fom the word go.

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I was fortunate to see him perform at Willie Mitchell's memorial service in Memphis and meet him afterwards. He had driven from Los Angeles to make the event, and after performing, drove straight back - literally thousands of miles. He appeared last ( after J. Blackfoot, Hi Rhythm, Don Bryant, Otis Clay and several others) and only performed a couple of songs but his singing was incredible and the audience went wild! In conversation, he was polite, helpful, thoroughly absorbing and gracious. He loved coming to England and was looking forward to the European tour. He was a truly special individual who will be greatly missed by all that were touched by his talent. Respect.

post-1773-058076500 1286721331_thumb.jpg

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If anyone hasnt yet done so,get yourself a copy of Sweet Soul Music by Peter Guralnick and take time to read the chapter on Solomon Burke,its a CLASSIC. Amongst other things,he used to sell sandwiches to the band on the tour bus ! He used to cook Pork Chops etc to sell to the crowd in the foyer at his own gigs! And the gig for the Ku Klux Klan in the South is stuff of legend.

Too true, another sad loss to soul music. It's funny you mention that chapter in Peter Guralnick's book as I was telling my wife about the things he'd done this morning, after I'd found out he'd died. I especially liked the popcorn tale...

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tmg555 Solomon Burke One of Soul Musics Greats ......One of the very first acts l seen back in 1965.... He Was Great Then And Was Greater Now.....!!! Solomon I will miss you thank-you..........!!!!!

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Another legend departs. He like the others before him made so many people happy.

This one's for you big man. RIP:

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Solomon Burke with another late great -- Willie Mitchell

Quality

SB had one of those voices that simply oooooozed soul .

A sad loss , but what a legacy .

RIP Mr Burke .

Malc

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Truly coincidental and I think really touching, almost simultaneously with his passing, at midnight here on Saturday Betty Harris was on stage headlining the Brooklyn Soul Festival and in front of a packed audience told everyone how what really started her career was her version of Solomon's beautiful "Cry to me" and then captivated the whole place with a truly beautiful, string-laden version, nobody in the house yet knew it was also a eulogy, RIP indeed dear man.

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Guest 2648 W Grand Boulevard

Posted

What a musical legacy the man leaves behind, RIP Mr Burke it was a pleasure to listen to you over the years :hatsoff2:

Dave

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Sidney Barnes wrote on his Face Book status early and I thought how much closer to the artists we feel now with this internet thing.

Quote...

Damn, Solomon Burke just passed away. Seems like that line I'm standing in is really getting shorter. Let me try to keep on moving to the back of the line..RIP Solomon.

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Had the opportunity to see this legend supported by Joss Stone in a really great, small venue in Exeter not two months back. Me and my Dad deemed fifty pounds each too expensive; suffice to say I learned my lesson, if a good opportunity arises pounce on it because it may never come back. RIP Mr. Solomon Burke, much love x

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Yet another of the icons from our youth passes away. Never TRUELY appreciated IMHO.

Gr8 career and longevity - wudda loved to see & hear the 2 old timers SB & Sam Moore duet?????

RIP BIG MAN

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