Solomon Burke (March 21, 1940 – October 10, 2010) was an American soul singer, widely known as the "King of Soul." Alongside Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, he is considered one of the founding fathers of soul music. Burke's deep, resonant voice and emotionally powerful delivery influenced countless artists. His classic hits include "Cry to Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love." He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. His music blended rhythm and blues, gospel, country, and jazz elements, making significant contributions to American popular music.
