Joan Sutherland, 83, in Switzerland.
Sutherland was one of the most acclaimed opera singers in the latter part of the 20th Century, revitalizing bel canto opera. She attended the Royal College of Music Opera School in London and after serving along apprenticeship at Covent Garden, her starring role as Donizetti's “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Royal Opera House in London in 1959. After a 1960 performance in Venice in 1960, Sutherland, who had been a star in her native Australia, was praised by the notoriously tough Italian critics, and was nick-named “La Stupenda” (“The Stupendous One”).
Her intonation was not always perfect and her diction was often criticized, but Sutherland always conveyed a grand stage presence that overcame any minor shortcomings and the power of her voice was unforgettable. She also made dozens of recordings, and won the 1981 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocalist. In 1988, she wrote her autobiography, “A Prima Donna's Progress”, and she received numerous other awards, including Companion of the Order of Australia, Dame of the British Empire, and the Order of Merit.
Early in her career, she and her conductor husband Richard Bonynge took a young Luciano Pavarotti on tour in Australia, which gave him the exposure and experience to take the next step in his career. She gave her last performance at the Sydney Opera House in 1990. She leaves her husband and one son, Adam.
R.I.P. Number Two
Solomon Burke, age 70, of a heart attack. He was at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, on his way to a concert.
Starting out as a preacher, he was signed to Atlantic Records, recording alongside Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. In 1964, he wrote “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”, which was covered by the Rolling Stones and Pickett.
Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler once called Burke, "the best soul singer of all time", although he never achieved the popularity of the many singers he influenced, such as James Brown and Isaac Hayes.
In one of the most memorable scenes from the movie "Dirty Dancing”, Patrick Swayze danced with Jennifer Grey to “Cry to Me” in their Catskills cabin.
Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and won a Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy a year later for "Don't Give Up On Me."
Cry to Me....
[flash width=480 height=385] http://www.youtube.com/v/mEu8DrO9PbY?fs=1&hl=en_US [/flash]
Cry to Me....
I was lucky enough to see Solomon Burke at Bonnaroo a couple of years ago. He mainly just sat in a huge throne but still sang great.
R.I.P. Number Two
Check out his album "Nashville" from a few years ago. Country Soul. What a loss!
RIP Solomon Burke, The King of Rythym and Blues
Sad day indeed. He's got a place in rock'n'roll heaven.
R.I.P. Number Two
a famous wee Irish bartender knew who he was. Van the Man gives a shout out to Solomon Burke at about 3:20 in this vid. You gotta wait for it, enjoy the whole song.
