Solomon Burke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Solomon Burke
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Solomon Burke performing on April 19, 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Solomon McDonald |
| Also known as | Solomon Vincent McDonald Burke |
| Born | March 21, 1940 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 2010 (aged 70) Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands |
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| Years active | 1955–2010 |
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Solomon Vincent McDonald Burke (born James Solomon McDonald, March 21, 1936 or 1940 – October 10, 2010) was an American singer. He helped create the sound of rhythm and blues and was one of the first artists to define soul music in the 1960s. People called him "King Solomon" and the "King of Rock 'n' Soul."
Burke had many hit songs, including "Cry to Me", "If You Need Me", and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love". Even though he didn't always top the charts like some other soul singers, many experts, like Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler, called him "the greatest male soul singer of all time."
His music blended gospel, jazz, country, and blues styles. He was known for his strong, smooth voice and for mixing spiritual and everyday themes in his songs. Burke performed for 55 years, releasing 38 albums and having 35 songs chart in the US.
In 2001, Solomon Burke was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His album Don't Give Up on Me won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2003. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time."
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Solomon Burke was born James Solomon McDonald in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some sources say he was born in 1936, others in 1939 or 1940. His grandmother, Eleanor Moore, founded a church in her home, and Solomon was made a bishop at birth.
His mother, Josephine, was a nurse, teacher, and pastor. When Solomon was nine, his mother married Vincent Burke, and his name was changed to Solomon Vincent McDonald Burke. Friends and family called him "Sol."
Solomon's grandmother was his biggest influence in music and faith. He learned to sing by listening to all kinds of music on the radio. He started preaching at his grandmother's church at age seven. People called him the "Boy Wonder Preacher" because he was so good at speaking to crowds.
By age 12, he became a pastor and had his own gospel radio show. On weekends, he traveled to other states to spread his church's message. He even wore a special cape, like Superman, made by his grandmother.
Solomon had six younger brothers and a sister. He worked from a young age to help his family. He delivered groceries, sold newspapers, and even ran a car wash. He also sold hot dogs with his friend Ernest Evans, who later became the famous singer Chubby Checker.
In high school, Solomon formed a group called the Gospel Cavaliers. His grandmother gave him his first guitar, and he wrote his first song, "Christmas Presents." The group performed in churches.
Solomon entered a gospel singing contest as a solo artist and won a record deal. He signed with Apollo Records in 1955. His first single, "Christmas Presents," was released on Christmas Eve that year.
Working with Atlantic Records
In 1960, Solomon Burke signed with Atlantic Records. At that time, some of Atlantic's biggest stars had left. Solomon's hit songs helped the record label a lot from 1961 to 1965.
He recorded many songs with Atlantic that became hits on both pop and R&B charts. His first hit was "Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)," which sold over a million copies. Another hit, "Cry to Me", mixed country, R&B, and gospel music.
After "Cry to Me," Solomon Burke was one of the first artists called a "soul artist." Other famous songs included "If You Need Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love". His song "Got to Get You Off My Mind" was his only number-one hit.
Defining Soul Music
When Burke joined Atlantic, he didn't want to be called just an R&B singer. He felt that R&B was seen as "the devil's music" by some in the church. He wanted to sing music that connected with people's feelings and faith.
A DJ in Philadelphia asked him what kind of singer he wanted to be. Burke replied, "I want to be a soul singer." This helped create the term "soul music." His sound was called "river deep country fried buttercream soul."
Solomon Burke helped show that secular music could also spread a positive message. Music experts noted that he brought the powerful, emotional style of gospel singing into popular music. His voice was described as having a "churchly authority."
Becoming the King of Rock 'n' Soul
By 1963, after many hit records, Solomon Burke was crowned the "King of Rock 'n' Soul." This happened at a ceremony in Baltimore, where a local DJ gave him a special cape and crown. He wore these on stage during his shows.
Burke's performances were exciting and full of energy. He was known for his amazing showmanship, often wearing a long cape and a jeweled crown. His stage shows were sometimes compared to religious revival meetings.
Once, James Brown (who also wanted to be "King of Soul") paid Burke $7,500 just to watch him perform. Burke took the money but kept his title and crown! As he got older, Burke couldn't dance as much, but his shows still had incredible energy.
Later Career and Awards
After 1965, Burke's chart success slowed down as new artists became popular. He moved to different record labels like Bell Records and MGM. He had a hit with his version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary" in 1969.
He continued to record for various labels throughout the years. In 2001, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2002, Burke released the album Don't Give Up on Me. This album was highly praised and won him his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. He continued to release albums, including Nashville (2006) and Like a Fire (2008), which earned another Grammy nomination. His final album, Hold on Tight, was a collaboration with a Dutch band called De Dijk.
Business Ventures
From a young age, Solomon Burke was very good at business. Besides his singing career, he owned funeral homes, two drugstores, and a popcorn business in Philadelphia. He also had the first Mountain Dew franchise in Philadelphia.
He was known for selling food backstage at his concerts, like barbecued chicken sandwiches and fried chicken. He even ran the food stands at the famous Apollo Theater when he performed there. This was very profitable for him.
Burke owned funeral parlors in several states. He also ran a limousine service. He continued to operate companies that supplied theaters and stadiums with his own fast food brand, "Soul Dogs" and "Soul Corn."
Community Work and Family
From the 1970s, Solomon Burke focused more on his church duties in Los Angeles. His church, Solomon's Temple: The House of God for All People, grew to have many missions and thousands of members. He had over 300 ordained ministers working to help people.
Burke was also involved in community work. He helped foundations for children with disabilities and those who were underprivileged. He was personally responsible for helping more than 120 adopted children. He also mentored young soul and blues musicians.
Solomon Burke had a very large family. He had 21 children, seven step-children, 90 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. Many of his family members also became successful in music.
His daughter, Melanie Burke-McCall, is a neo-soul singer and has toured with famous artists. Her son, Novel, is a successful songwriter who has written songs for many well-known artists like Leona Lewis and Justin Timberlake. Solomon's granddaughter, Candy Burke, was a backing singer for him and performed at many of his shows.
Later Years and Passing
For many years, Solomon Burke dealt with health issues, including his weight. In his later years, he used a wheelchair due to arthritis and his weight. He often joked that God put him in the wheelchair to tell him he was "too fat!"
On October 10, 2010, Solomon Burke passed away at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. He was 70 years old and had just landed for a concert. His family said he died of natural causes.
His funeral was a large public event in Gardena, California, with many eulogies and gospel singing. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in Los Angeles.
Neil Portnow, the head of The Recording Academy (which gives out the Grammys), praised Burke as "one of music's greatest vocalists and a pioneer of the genre." He said Burke's legacy was "as powerful and soulful as he was."
Discography
Images for kids
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Burke in 1967
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Burke in 2010
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Grave of Solomon Burke at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
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See also
In Spanish: Solomon Burke para niños
