Solomon Burke Passes Away At 70!

The King of Rock and Soul sings his last note.

Solomon Burke, soul singing ace of the 60's if not one of the greatest, has passed away at an Amsterdam airport this morning due to natural causes, according to his family. He was aged 70.

Revealed in a statement posted by loved ones on the musician's website, "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." Details surrounding the cause of death were not specified.

Robert van Kapel, police spokesman of the Schiphol Airport, disclosed further that Burke was set to perform with local band De Dijk in a concert hall formerly a church in Amsterdam. The singer however, died on a plane on its arrival at Schiphol.

'Big Soul' Burke, formerly a preacher in his early adult life as well as an acquaintance to historical figure Martin Luther King, was a major influence to renowned soul artists such as James Brown and Marvin Gaye, and was tagged by Legendary Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler as the "best soul singer of all time."

The Soul king was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and after a long wait, bagged his first ever Grammy in 2003, for Best Contemporary Album titled "Don't Give Up On Me."

Prior to his death, Burke was already confined to a wheelchair and tipped the scale at an alarming 420 pounds. According to reports, he has left behind a huge family comprising of 21 children, 90 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

A great man with a life lived to the fullest.