Solomon Burke has died in the Netherlands, where he was due to perform in a couple of days time.
He was relentless with recording and touring, which provided me an opportunity to see him play a few months back. He was confined to a wheelchair- although on stage he sat in his now-trademark throne-styled chair. As a singer, he was as powerful and as honed as you'd expect, and charming between songs too, a combination that left everyone there transfixed, hanging on his words.
At that show, he revealed he'd earlier performed a marriage ceremony for a couple in the audience. He paid his respects in a musical tribute to his contemporaries and friends. A review of that show in the Telegraph reminded me that he said he'd sing as long as he had breath to do it.
Solomon Burke has died in the Netherlands, where he was due to perform in a couple of days time.
He was relentless with recording and touring, which provided me an opportunity to see him play a few months back. He was confined to a wheelchair- although on stage he sat in his now-trademark throne-styled chair. As a singer, he was as powerful and as honed as you'd expect, and charming between songs too, a combination that left everyone there transfixed, hanging on his words.
At that show, he revealed he'd earlier performed a marriage ceremony for a couple in the audience. He paid his respects in a musical tribute to his contemporaries and friends. A review of that show
in the Telegraph reminded me that he said he'd sing as long as he had breath to do it.
Rest in peace.
...is out to lunch.