Pioneer soul-singer Solomon Burke has passed away at the age of 70. Burke began singing religious music in 1955 before signing with Atlantic Records in 1960. His style incorporated elements of R&B, gospel, blues and rock & roll. He had a string of successful hits on the R&B charts in the early '60's, but he never become a house-hold name. Burke's music has been covered by such artists as the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and won a Grammy Award in 2003 for Best Contemporary Blues Album ("Don't Give Up On Me" 2002). This October, his newest album "Hold On Tight" (2010) was scheduled for release.
The essential Solomon Burke playlist:
"Just Out of Reach (of My Two Open Arms)" (#7 R&B, 1961)
"Cry To Me" (#5 R&B, #44 Pop, 1962)
"If You Need Me" (#2 R&B, #37 Pop, 1963)
"Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" (#33 R&B, #33 Pop, 1964)
"Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" (1964)
"Got To Get You Off My Mind" (#1 R&B, #22 Pop, 1965)
"Tonight's The Night" (#2 R&B, #28 Pop, 1965)
"Don't Give Up On Me" (2002)
"StepChild" (2002)
" 'Til I Get It Right" (2006)
" Ain't Got You" (2006)
"Tomorrow Is Forever" w/Dolly Parton (2006)
"Oh What A Feeling" (2010)
All songs available @ iTunes.
"Don't Give Up On Me"
"Everybody Needs Somebody To Love"
"Tomorrow Is Forever"
"Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)"
