R.I.P. Solomon Burke

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Philadelphia soul legend Solomon Burke died today at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Burke is best known for the songs “Cry To Me” and “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love.” After writing the latter with Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler it was immediately covered by The Rolling Stones but it was The Blues Brothers’ version that became most popular. Burke never achieved the mainstream success of peers like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett but he was respected by soul lovers worldwide and did make it into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. He was also one of the most enterprising soul men as he owned a limousine rental service, funeral home and a church. Burke’s most recent recording Nothing’s Impossible was released earlier this year and it is the last full recording produced by the late Memphis legend Willie Mitchell.

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