School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Solomon Burke

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Solomon Burke, born James Solomon McDonald in 1940, was an American singer who became one of the founders of soul in the 1960s. He died in 2010. He was known as King Solomon and as the King of Rock 'n' Soul. His best-known records date from the first half of the 1960s, with hits such as Cry to Me, If You Need Me, Got to Get You Off My Mind, Down in the Valley and Everybody Needs Somebody to Love.

Music and breakthrough

Burke came from gospel, and he mixed it with jazz, country and blues. A singing style with supple, powerful delivery and a mixture of sacred and worldly themes gave early soul a face. In fifty-five years he released thirty-eight studio albums on at least seventeen labels. His album Don't Give Up on Me won a Grammy in 2003. In 2001 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jerry Wexler of Atlantic called him the best male soul singer. Because he had fewer hits than James Brown, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding, he has been described as the most underrated singer of the golden age of soul.

Influence

In School of Rock Burke appears under Nederpop: in 2010 a Dutch band recorded an album with the American soul singer. That shows how far his influence reached, well beyond his own country and time.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Cry to Me and notice how Burke begins the song, almost speaking, and then breaks out with his great voice. Can you hear the sermon from church coming back?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: Artists