The King of Rock 'N Soul Solomon Burke, died today at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport at age of 70. Burke was born on March 21, 1940 in Philadelphia. His songs songs blended soul, gospel, country and RnB.
Born to in an upstairs room of a Philadelphia church, Burke was acknowledged as one of the greatest soul singers of the 1960s, but his popularity never matched that of contemporaries like James Brown or Marvin Gaye.
Burke's family said on his website the singer died of natural causes, but did not elaborate.
"This is a time of great sorrow for our entire family. We truly appreciate all of the support and well wishes from his friends and fans," the statement said from Burke's family said. "Although our hearts and lives will never be the same, his love, life and music will continue to live within us forever," it added.
Schiphol Airport police spokesman Robert van Kapel confirmed that Burke died on a plane at Schiphol. He arrived early Sunday on a flight from Los Angeles and had been scheduled to perform a sellout show on Tuesday in a church converted into a concert hall in Amsterdam with local band De Dijk.
He remained closely linked to the church as a preacher. In 2000, he also played for then-Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and won a Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy a year later for "Don't Give Up On Me."
May His Soul Rest In Peace.
