Solomon Burke died today at age 70 while traveling in the Netherlands.

Solomon was a powerful gospel, blues, soul and 'R & B' singer from Philidelphia.

He was considered a pioneer and was a member of the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He began his adult life as a preacher in Philadelphia, and soon moved on to hosting a gospel radio show. He met fellow preacher Martin Luther King, Jr. several times.

In the 1960's, he signed with Atlantic Records and began moving towards more secular music.

Burke was also an undertaker and had a mortuary business in Los Angeles. He was trained as a mortician early in his life and had worked in his uncle's funeral parlor.

I had the pleasure of seeing Solomon perform several times, he was a great singer and entertainer.

He probably would have lived longer had he not been so overweight (he was very obese).

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