Solomon Burke: 1940-2010

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Philly-born Solomon Burke, the ''greatest soul singer of all time,' died in Amsterdam on Sunday, Oct. 10.

By Jeff Schwachter

Add Comment | Comments: 1 | Posted Oct. 14, 2010

THE NETHERLANDS - The world lost one of the most talented and soulful singers this past Sunday when Philadelphia-born artist Solomon Burke died in Amsterdam.

According to this New York Times obit, Burke, who was 70, lived in Los Angeles, but died Oct. 10 at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

Burke, an early R&B pioneer and a critically hailed recording artist in recent years, was in the Netherlands to perform a sold-out concert with the Dutch band De Dijk.

Burke's countless hits include 1962's "Cry to Me," 1963's "If You Need Me," 1965's "Got to Get You Off My Mind," and 1967's "Take Me (Just As I Am)."

While he still performed in his grand, royal style, perched atop a king's throne center stage in concert —sometimes wearing a crown — during the '70s and '80s, Burke's big comeback came with the release of the Joe Henry-produced Don't Give Up on Me record in 2002.

The album, featuring an eccentric selection of cover tunes by Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, and Henry, won Burke his first Grammy, taking home the award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Burke was larger than life in many ways. In recent years, he continued to record ambitious new albums, including the country-tinged 2006 album Nashville. This past April, E1 Entertainment released Burke's final album, Nothing's Impossible.

And if it's possible that you hadn't heard of Burke until the news came out that he passed away, do yourself a huge favor and pick up Don't Give Up on Me as well as 1998's Rhino compilation The Very Best of Solomon Burke, featuring many of the late singer's early hits.

Below are some videos in remembrance of the man who famed producer Jerry Wexler declared as the greatest soul singer of all time.

Rest in peace Solomon Burke.