October 12, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Solomon Burke, known as the 'King of Rock and Soul', was found dead at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on Sunday. A spokeswoman for the airport in Amsterdam announced that the singer was dead, but refused to divulge any further details. A doctor, who was called at the Schiphol morgue announced that the death was the result of natural causes. Solomon Burkes body will be flown to the US next week. The singer was aged 70.

Solomon Burke is known to have 21 children and 90 grandchildren. The soul singers brush with The Netherlands goes a long way back. Burke has performed in the island country many times and was also scheduled to release an album titled Hold on Tight with the Dutch band De Dijk, this Tuesday. The man behind the classic hit Somebody to Love, last performed at a concert in Seattle as early as last month. The singer was always known for his huge form and the royal sets in which he preferred to perform while on stage. Solomon Burke was the proud owner of a Grammy Award, awarded to him in the year 2003.

Little did the world know that a singer who started his career singing for church choirs, would move on to be hailed as one of the most popular figures in the history of soul music. Apart from his career as a singer, Solomon Burke also owned a limousine rental service and a funeral enterprise.

-- Sampurn Wire