Solomon Burke

RIP 'King Of Rock ‘N’ Soul' Solomon Burke

Soul singer Solomon Burke has died at the age of 70. On Sunday morning, he arrived at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam after a flight from Los Angeles when he died of "natural causes," according to the Airport doctor. He was due in the Netherlands to help promote a new CD he was releasing with the Dutch band De Dijk. Solomon Burke was one of the key soul singers of the 1960s. Although he never matched the public popularity of soul stars such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, fans and musicians considered Burke just as highly. Jerry Wexler, the legendary Atlantic Records producer who discovered talents such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield, described Burke as "the best soul singer of all time." Andy Kaulkin, President of Anti-Records who released Burke's Grammy-winning comeback album Don't Give Up On Me (2002), said "Popular music today wouldn't be where it is without Solomon Burke... I feel like his music is where it all came together, and when we think of 60s soul music it all started with Solomon Burke." "This is a time of great sorrow for our entire family," a statement on Burke's official website said. "We truly appreciate all of the support and well wishes from his friends and fans... Although our hearts and lives will never be the same, his love, life and music will continue to live within us forever."