Soul Great Solomon Burke Dies in Amsterdam

Burke influenced a generation that would surpass his success

Solomon Burke, one of the most renown vocalists in soul whose popularity never caught up to his greatness, died early Sunday at the airport in Amsterdam, his family said in a statement. He was 70.

His family did not say exactly why he died on a plane at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Burke had just arrived on a flight from Los Angeles to play at a sold-out Amsterdam concert hall.

Burke influenced the likes of Marvin Gaye and James Brown, though he himself never achieved a commensurate level of commercial success. His best-known songs are so because of their use in movies: "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," was in "The Blues Brothers," and "Cry To Me," which was featured in one of the most memorable scenes from "Dirty Dancing."

 

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