Solomon Burke – The Preacher of Soul & King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
November 21, 2008 by admin
Filed under Featured Artists
An American singer and songwriter, Solomon Burke, who won Grammy Awards, is also entitled as “The King of Rock and Roll”. Solomon Burke was born in the year 1940 in Philadelphia in United States and has his genres in gospel, soul, blues and rock and roll. Moreover, he is also honored in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. He had worked under the labels Kenwood Records, Atlantic, Sequel and Fat Possum Records.
Solomon Burke was born in the year 1940, however many sources reveal that he was born in the year 1938, some say 1936. Still it was unveiled by Solomon Burke himself that he was born in the year 1940 in Pennsylvania. In earlier days, before entering into music, Solomon Burke started off as a preacher in Philadelphia itself. After some time, he began to host a gospel radio show in Philadelphia. Then in the year 1960, he signed an agreement with Atlantic Records and stepped forward towards the secular music. There he released his first hit namely “Just out of reach of my open arms”, which received both peers and critics. However, he gave out some hit numbers, but was not able to make a break through like other celebrities. Still one of his famous songs “Cry to me” was used in the movie “Dirty Dancing”. Cry to me was written by Bert Russell under the label Atlantic that ranked fifth on the charts.
In the year 1964, he recorded a song “Everybody needs somebody to love” that was written by Wexler, Berns and Solomon Burke. After that in the year 1987, he appeared in the movie “The Big Easy”, which was actually an American neo noir crime film. The movie was directed by Jim McBride and written by Daniel Petrie Jr., where Solomon Burke worked as Daddy Mention. Recently in the year 2004, he was also featured in “Lightning in a Bottle” where he sang “Turn on your Love light” and “Down in the valley”. Moreover in the year 2005, he came into view as a special guest with Jools Holland when he was touring in United Kingdom including his shows in London’s Royal Albert Hall. Then in the year 2006, he returned back to his hometown with the release of his new album “Nashville” that was produced by Buddy Miller.
He has launched many albums like, “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide”, “Solomon Burke”, “The Rest of Solomon Burke”, “I Wish I Knew”, “Electronic Magnetism”, “I Have a Dream”, “Music to Make Love By”, “Sidewalks, Fences & Walls”, “Get Up and Do Something”, “Lord We Need a Miracle”, “King of Rock ‘n’ Soul”, “Take Me, Shake Me”, “A Change is Gonna Come”, “Into My Life You Came”, “This is His”, “Soul of the Blues”, “Definition of Soul”, “Live at House of Blues”, “Not By Water But Fire This Time”, “Don’t Give Up on Me”, “The Incredible Solomon Burke at His Best”, “Make Do With What You Got”, “Nashville” and “Like a Fire” to name a few. If you want to have any further information about Solomon Burke you can surf some exclusive websites and tune up to his songs effortlessly.
In the year 2006, Solomon Burke also performed in a live concert along with Jerry Lee Lewis and other rock and roll as well as soul legends. Then again in the year 2007, Solomon Burke performed on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “That’s how I got to Memphis” and “Late night with Conan O’Brien” along with Buddy Miller. Talking of his family, Solomon Burke was the father of twenty one children and grandfather of eighty nine children plus, he had nineteen great grand children. In his career till date.
TJ Grooves
Rare Soul Grooves & Soul Music TV
Oh that was Daddy Mention in the Big Easy! Brilliant. The guy is a star. And HE wrote Everybody (Needs Somebody to Love) - isn’t that just one of those songs that everybody covers and no-one knows whose song it is. I remember the guys in the Blues Brothers doing it and wigging out. Thanks Soul Music for giving me great trivia for down the pub tonight:
Solomon Burke is in fact the Emperor of Rock and Roll. The king would not be the right word to describe this talented man. “Just out of reach of my open arms” is one of the best examples of secular music by this artist. I never get tired listening to this number.
“I Have a Dream” is one of the albums that I truly cherish. I also love “Get Up and Do Something”, and “Lord We Need a Miracle”. Actually, I can go on about my choices. They are endless. That is what, other fans of Burke should have in common with me I guess.
The trio, Solomon Burke, Wexler, and Berns created magic with the song “Everybody needs somebody to love”. It is simply flawless. The lyrics are soulful and the music is unforgettable. I have not seen “The Big Easy”, but I will make sure that I watch it as soon as possible.
This guy is not exactly a household name in the UK. He sits on a golden throne, has been known to shoot people he disagrees with, has 89 or 90 grandchildren and once accidentally got booked to perform for the Ku Klux Klan.
You should read the interview with him from The Independent where they called him ‘the last of the great soul men.’ They guy spoke with him before his performance at Glastonbury this year and apparently all his stories, tall tales though they sound, all pan out to be true.
Recorded the song “Tommorrow is Forever” with Dolly Parton for his 2006 CD, “Nashville”.
The Bishop of Soul. What a voice range! Wonderful…
Burke is revered by some of the most respected big acts as a pioneer and member of the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Songs like “Cry To Me” makes you falling in love .Lets you know it’s okay to give your heart and soul away no matter the out come of the relationship just as long as you gave love a chance
In 1987, he appeared in the movie The Big Easy (film) as Daddy Mention and he is featured in the 2004 movie Lightning in a Bottle, singing “Turn on Your Love Light” and “Down in the Valley”.
“When you’re all alone in your lonely room /And there’s nothing but the smell of her perfume Ah don’t you feel like crying / Don’t you feel like crying? / Ah don’t you feel like crying? / Come on, come on cry to me.” A beautiful song from The King of Rock ‘N Soul.
Yap, Cry To Me, what an absolutely amazing, fantastic, sexy song… You Go Solomon!
Solomon has been my favorite since the 60’s. This man is probably the best live performer I have ever seen.
Such a sexy song … really makes you want the boy you love….
He calls himself the King now, and has a recent album out called Light A Fire (2008) about which he says “Songs take a message directly to your heart. When you can’t speak for yourself, sometimes a song can say something in three minutes that you’ve been trying to say all your life.”