JUNE 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM Q&A

Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Motte, Sean Foreman Marina Chavez SOLOMON BURKE Still rocking, still rolling, still ruling

SOLOMON BURKE WAS DUBBED “THE What makes a good song? Did you know then that you were King of Rock and Soul” in the —and The story. If the story doesn’t mean anything forging a new style of music? fi ve decades later he is still ruling from the to me personally and spiritually, then I just No. We were just doing what we do. It’s just trademark throne he occupies on stage. can’t do it. I’ve tried to sing songs that didn’t amazing how the legendary status of these Burke didn’t fi nd crossover pop success have a meaning for me and it doesn’t work people still exists in the hearts and minds as a young man, but in the 2000s a string well. I turned down some big hits, like “Little of the younger generation today. We know of genre-busting earned him new Bit of Soul” and “Hang on Sloopy.” the magic of what Sam Cooke and Jackie respect and new listeners. Now 70, the Wilson did. We know Al Hibbler and Ray father of 21 and grandfather of 90 Tell us about Willie Mitchell. Charles and Roy Hamilton. It was there, it struggles with health problems but What a great man, what an incredible man. was real. This is what I’m hoping some of nonetheless has plenty on his plate. His I never met anyone with so much positivity our younger entertainers will bring back. It’s latest , Nothing’s Impossible, marked and sincerity in what they were doing. When happening in Europe. I worked with a young his first collaboration with legendary I met him, it was like seeing your brother that lady named . Incredible. Soulful. R&B producer Willie Mitchell, who died you haven’t seen in all these years. After fi ve They come forth with this inner soul that just in January. hours of laughter and jokes and comparing tastes like collard greens and corn bread and notes, his words were, “Man, you ain’t leaving candied yams and macaroni and cheese. Do you have a favorite among your this studio ’til you record something. I got you It’s just there. recent albums? here now. Lock the doors!” Every one was a favorite, because they were Did you ever imagine that you would all masterpieces within their own rights. The sound he got was similar to your still be singing at 70? They were great lessons in learning the next ’60s records. No, I just thank God I made 33. I was very step, the next phase. We learn that in life, I think he went back and touched upon the afraid. I lost my grandmother when she was the things we thought were so important time of magic. That was magic for me and only 54. I didn’t think that I would ever reach are no longer important. Changes come magic for and that age. And I’m still excited about things and changes go. Life travels on, it doesn’t and Joe Tex, all of those incredible people that are happening. stand still. during that time. –Richard Cromelin

‘I’ve tried to sing songs that didn’t have a meaning for me and it didn’t work well.’

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