Singer. He was nicknamed "The King of Rock and Soul," possessing a voice which blended R&B, gospel and country genres. Born in Philadelphia, his musical interests were shaped by routinely attending church services as a child, and he would be influenced by a wide variety of artists including Nat King Cole and John Lee Hooker. Burke signed and recorded with Apollo Records during the mid-1950s, and achieved limited success with the minor hit "You Can Run (But You Can't Hide)." It was with Atlantic Records where he enjoyed his most productive period commercially, beginning with "Cry to Me," which was followed by the top-40 hits, "Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)" (1961), "If You Need Me" (1963), "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" (1964), "Got To Get You Off My Mind" (1965) and "Tonight's The Night" (1965). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album with "Don't Give Up On Me" (2002). Burke remained an active performer until his death while aboard a plane after arriving in Amsterdam.

Singer. He was nicknamed "The King of Rock and Soul," possessing a voice which blended R&B, gospel and country genres. Born in Philadelphia, his musical interests were shaped by routinely attending church services as a child, and he would be influenced by a wide variety of artists including Nat King Cole and John Lee Hooker. Burke signed and recorded with Apollo Records during the mid-1950s, and achieved limited success with the minor hit "You Can Run (But You Can't Hide)." It was with Atlantic Records where he enjoyed his most productive period commercially, beginning with "Cry to Me," which was followed by the top-40 hits, "Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)" (1961), "If You Need Me" (1963), "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" (1964), "Got To Get You Off My Mind" (1965) and "Tonight's The Night" (1965). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album with "Don't Give Up On Me" (2002). Burke remained an active performer until his death while aboard a plane after arriving in Amsterdam.

Bio by: C.S.