Talk:Solomon Burke/Archive 1

Comments
If the Blues Brothers kept the guitar exactly the same, if anyone knows, please tell me.

Was he born in 1936 or 1940. Could somebody clear this up?

To put the matter to rest, Solomon was born on March 21, 1940. He started his recording career at age 14 (in 1954), so in order to work without the need of parental supervision, his manager changed Burke's birth year. It has been difficult to correct all the various cites, but the truth is that he will be 68 at his next birthday.


 * Difficult to be sure. I favour 1936, as the following links allude to that year:, , , , , , , etc. Would someone care to re-visit the present citing - perhaps a compromise, quoting both dates would suffice. Thank you,


 * Derek R Bullamore 22:37, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

It might be mentioned there is an entire album for the 1971 Blacksploitation film "Cool Breeze" recorded by Solomon Burke. Caranino 17:42, 17 October 2007 (UTC)Glenn

Last Name
How is his last name pronounced? Is it like Burk or Burky? 76.126.35.84 (talk) 03:55, 10 January 2008 (UTC)
 * It is Burk. The final 'e' is silent.:Derek R Bullamore (talk) 19:41, 10 January 2008 (UTC)
 * My Father's name on my birth certificate & his & my mother's marriage license is Solomon Burke and that's with an "E" at the end of Burke and the "E" is not silent. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.60.173.245 (talk) 21:01, 20 September 2011 (UTC)

two sources
As an editor at Crawdaddy!, and to comply with COI guidelines, I am not posting links or citing this article or review. However, I would like to recommend them on their merits, and hope that an editor will find the time to examine them and—if he or she sees fit—post as a link or cite the article and interview, or add the review to the Like a Fire page if and when one is created. I appreciate your time. Crawdaddy! (mixed) 2008 Asst. Editor, Crawdaddy! FenderRhodesScholar | Talk 18:07, 18 June 2008 (UTC)

Children
The article states that Burke has 21 children, but the parentheses says seven sons and seven daughters. Is it 21 or 14? Grover (talk) 22:45, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Raid warning
Hey guys, I was on 4chan tonight, and I know they said they wanted to raid this page, so if you see any stupid edits or vandals, I think it's them. I'm sorry for my /b/rothers! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.42.220.60 (talk) 05:42, 20 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Hi everyone this is Valarie Burke-Gresham I want to say I've read the comments that was posted & want to say this is not 4chan and my family and I are not raiding this page I am stating the truth about my Dad Mr. Solomon Burke. This is not any kind of stupid edits and my family & I are not Vandals. The reason for this responds is because the people who wrote the comments below & the rest do not want the truth to come out and they know I have the truth. I will not apologize for anyone's bad behavior and those who wants to profit off of my dad's death how sad. I will always defend my dad & stand up for him cause he is not here to stand up for himself. So take this message not a comment as facts and GOD BLESS EACH & everyone of you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.60.173.245 (talk) 22.11, 20 September 2011 (UTC)

Comments by Mrs Valarie Burke-Gresham re: accuracy of this article
I see that there was an insertion into the article from anonymous isp 96.60.173.245 allegedly from a Mrs Valarie Burke-Gresham who claims to be the oldest child of Solomon Burke. She wrote:
 * '''From the Daughter of the late Solomon Burke. (Mrs. Valarie Burke-Gresham) Let's make no mistakes Solomon Burke did not have any children at the age of 14. Solomon Burke first child was born on September 16 1957 by is FIRST AND ONLY STILL TILL TODAY WIFE. Mrs. Doris P. Burke whom he nor she ever devoice as of this day. I don't know where these people are getting their information from, but please let me inform you that all which is being said is a LIE. His first born child name is Valarie Burke-Gresham which followed two son's twins James and David who is now deceased. So if anyone once to know the truth about Mr. Solomon Burke they need to contact Valarie Burke-Gresham she knows everything about her Father. So everyone else who is telling all of these lies like they know about Valarie Burke-Gresham Father and her Mother Doris P. Burke who is still the original wife of Solomon Burke. Please stop trying to make money off of my dad he is not for sale. Let him RIP if he was still here everyone who is a part of this mess would be catching hell. So I am going to do it for him. My dad loves me and my mother and all of these wife are not true. Yes he had a total of nine children which are his blood, but he always claimed other women children. As I said before let my dad rest in peace and stop all the lies. Also let me tell you something else I have a life time of pictures, memories that know body knows about but my mother, father, and my husband. They are my memories and I do not have to share them with anyone. My dad had a long take with me before he passed away and now as I see all the lyies what he told me is the truth. He never trusted the people that was around him. They only used him to make money he was their meal ticket until the day he died and now they still want him to take care of there lazy tails wake up people he's gone go get a real job. Yes I know all about what was going on cause my dad talked with me everyday ten to twenty times a day. So yes if you don't want me to come out with the truth, then I suggest the lies stop NOW. And I mean it.

I will look into the veracity or otherwise of her claims.smjwalsh (talk) 15:29, 20 September 2011 (UTC)
 * I found the following comment online by the son of Valerie Gresham re Solomon Burke: "My grandfather has officially one wife Doris P. Williams of Philadelphia, PA. He fathered his first daughter and child which is my mother Valerie D. Burke. Solomon never divorced my grandmother so tech.......... the others donut matter. I am the first grandson Charles Burke. Those of you who want the real story you can contact Valerie D. Gresham at.......

Their position is that Burke was only married once legally, and never divorced from his first wife, Doris Williams.smjwalsh (talk) 15:40, 20 September 2011 (UTC)


 * Again I will say my dad only had 9 children with his blood running through their vain. Also the message you located was from my so and yes he is the first "1ST" grand son make no mistake and we have proof to our statements. You must know this is not a fight this is only giving the truth & facts. If no one believe me then I force you to prove me wrong. I & my family stands by what we say and will put it in anyone's face with grace. So again stop telling these lies & face the truth my dad had a life before these other people and his life did not start with these people who think they knew my dad. I will also tell you this I have the full history & bio of my dad & I will continue to tell what is the truth. I do not want to put people on the front line but if the lies do not stop I will tell it ALL and I will not spare anyone's feelings so let my dad RIP. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.60.173.245 (talk) 21:01, 20 September 2011 (UTC)
 * Earlier today I wrote to Mrs Burke-Gresham: "I can understand how distressing it may be to read errors or mistakes about your father. I do understand your desire to honor the memory of the father you loved and who loved you. I am committed to help correct those errors where possible. Wikipedia has high standards. They insist upon verifiability for all claims - usually from reputable books or newspapers, etc. Even testimony from you cannot be accepted without that verification unless it appears in a book or something like that. I understand your point that your father was only ever legally married to your mother - never divorced and never annulled. Part of the problem will be statements either made by your father or attributed to him in various articles and interviews. For example, the statement he makes on his website about being a father at 14, whereas he was 17 when you were born. It is prossible that he misspoke." Let's identify specific areas that you question and see what can be done to improve the article. My view is that the overwhelming position of the article is not only accurate but elevates Solomon Burke's position.smjwalsh (talk) 14:05, 21 September 2011 (UTC)
 * An Autobot removed the following comments from the main article: "From Valarie Burke-Gresham as I read this article which is not true Solomon and Doris Burke marriage was NEVER ANNULLED and my sister Michelle Burke-Robinson was not born on Feb.28th wrong information. My dad and my mother until this day are still married and she is his First wife so any one else after that is illegal check city hall-public records stupid. If you did your homework you would know the truth. Like I said if anyone once to know the truth contact me Valarie Burke-Gresham the oldest child. Delores had children before my dad even met this woman and like I said if you want the truth talk to me or you will always get a lie from these people. My dad did not even like these people because all they wanted from him was money and for him to take care of them. Check the records before & after my dad's death he was the only person working in that house. Not to mention Delores' children who moved to CA to be next to my dad so he could take care of them. Don't let me start telling about how they use to steal from my dad stop the lies that's why you guys are having such bad Luke and the blessing are not coming your way because of the lies TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW and not what you think you know. Like I said I will always defend my dad. Now let get on France who started out as the nanny aka Sunday O yes you do 't think I know what was going on all these years my dad talked/spoke to me everyday & sometimes all day even while he was overseas. So smjwalsh like I said you give me a call and it would be my pleasure to seat down with you. Trust me everything I tell you can be verified. Let is be also know my dad holding no bars by me ValarieBurke-Gresham was a BIG LIER and everyone knew it even him this is not to talk bad about the dead but I love my dad and he knew that no matter what I would always tell the truth. So on this comment and information from my side of the family my dad NEVER had a SON at the age of 14. Know what you are talking about before you open your mouths. And this is a known FACT."

Mrs Gresham raises some interesting points. Let me check the sources and look into them.smjwalsh (talk) 16:59, 21 September 2011 (UTC)
 * Here's what the sources say: Jet (August 7, 1958):63: "Newest convert to the Moslem faith is singer Solomon Burke, who recently had his two-month-old marriage annulled". It could be that this refers to a bigamous marriage after that to Doris Williams. Dating that marriage may clarify the situation.smjwalsh (talk) 17:06, 21 September 2011 (UTC)
 * The source for Mrs Gresham's sister's date of birth is "Death Notice: Michelle D. Burke", Philadelphia Inquirer (March 4, 2008), which reads: "BURKE MICHELLE D., on Feb. 28, 2008. Survived by her father Thomas Dawson, her mother Doris Williams and stepfather Solomon Burke; 2 daughters, Ebony and Danah; one sister, Valerie; one brother, Charles and a host of other relatives and friends. Viewing Wednesday, March 5th, 9:30 to 11 A.M., at Friendship Christian Center, 2640-46 N. 15th St., Phila. Funeral Service immediately following. Int. Mt. Peace Cemetery. Prof. Services ALFONSO CANNON FUNERAL CHAPELS. Published on 2008-03-04, Page, Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) and Philadelphia Daily News (PA)

|&p_product=PHNP&p_theme=phnp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_trackval=PHNP&s_dispstring=Solomon%20Burke%20Doris%20Williams&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Solomon%20Burke%20Doris%20Williams)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no. Of course, newspaper could be wrong. Information is only as good as that provided by a family member.smjwalsh (talk) 17:15, 21 September 2011 (UTC)
 * Actually, the source indicates Michelle D. Burke died on February 28, 2008. It is not her birth date. I think that resolves that issue.smjwalsh (talk) 17:27, 21 September 2011 (UTC)

Extreme long article - it's about time to split it
hello, User:Smjwalsh, thank you for your great work, but this article is far too long. "Early life and influences" is ok (although it could be trimmed), but the career section is a, sorry, mess. It has so much unimportant stuffs, maybe even WP:FANCRUFT. Too much charting, ranking, quotes, etc. which are non-notable here. Only 2 albums and 10 singles exist. How about creating them and put the information there? You would gain some DYKs and you can even nominate them on WP:GAN.-- ♫Greatorangepumpkin♫ Hey it's me 10:55, 26 September 2011 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your comments. It is a comprehensive article, and I agree that there should be separate articles on some of his albums and singles as you suggest. Once that is done, it would be appropriate to reduce relevant sections in main article to summary style. I'm sure there is extraneous material here, but am comfortable with other editors doing what is necessary to improve the article. Of course, issues of length and importance of information is a subjective assessment as there are no hard and fast benchmarks on either of these issues on WP.smjwalsh (talk) 12:27, 26 September 2011 (UTC)
 * Just for the record. While the article's gross size is listed currently as 243kB, the current readble prose (the only criteria measured) is "Prose size (text only): 116 kB (20720 words)". The amount of scholarly apparatus and attendant html code catapults this article to its current noticeable position on the list of long articles. The article has sections for 10 singles, but 13 albums. I suippose possible separate sub-articles should be: Early life and career of Solomon Burke (1940 to 1960), a discography, and possibly a Later life and career of Solomon Burke. smjwalsh (talk) 12:43, 26 September 2011 (UTC)
 * It's undeniable that a huge amount of excellent work has gone into this article. Equally, I think it's undeniable that it is far too long, with far too much detail.  Simply, almost no-one will ever read it - its sheer bulk is intimidating and indigestible.  (See also Josh White, where there is a similar problem.)  There is very little sense of what is important and what is (to almost everyone who would think of reading it) unimportant.  I think it would be wrong to try and split the biographical parts of the article into "early" and "later" life - what is important is to get a digestible picture of the man's whole life and work.  I agree that the sections on specific albums and singles (assuming they meet the notability criteria) should certainly be taken out and put in new (or existing) articles, but I also feel that much of the detail could be removed from other passages.  A shorter more focussed article would actually provide more information to more readers, because it would be more likely to be read.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 14:33, 26 September 2011 (UTC)
 * There was exactly the same problem at Fanny Crosby, and to a large extent that is still a overlength and overdetailed article. This appears to be an unfortunate tendency of the major contributor, and forking the detail is not necessarily the complete solution because that detail is just too much in any article. Please, if it is split then bear in mind that the content across the range of articles as a whole needs to come down a bit. Well, a lot. - Sitush (talk) 19:51, 12 October 2011 (UTC)
 * One of the defining characteristics of this article is the way it is structured - that is, largely around the chronology of individual record releases. That presents an opportunity to improve it.  It would be much better, in my view, if the material on each record release - including its background and reception - were placed into a separate article on each single or album.  That is the way it seems to be handled for all other major artists.  In many cases (I haven't checked if it's all cases) articles on his records already exist - but, to give one example, the article on the song "Cry to Me" is briefer, and less well-informed, than the section about the same record in this article.  In my view, that needs to be addressed.  As a first step, I suggest that the material (including references, etc.) be copied across to the articles on each record release, and merged - and, once that is done, this article be pruned back severely to present an accessible overview of his life and career.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 21:55, 12 October 2011 (UTC)

The Split tag has appeared again. I don't think the career section ought to be split up as mentioned above. There are a number of sections on the artist's individual works. If these are separately notable then they could be moved to separate articles. There is a lot of irrelevant detail, e.g. in Singular records, the lengthy description of Chivian and the staff of singular records. If these people are notable then the info should be in their article. If not, then we don't really need the detail here either. Op47 (talk) 21:19, 27 July 2012 (UTC)

This article is a mess. Great info but I think the songs discussed could've been included in the songs' articles. I'll try to see if I can knock it down to a decent conservative size... BrothaTimothy (talk · contribs) 20:22, 16 November 2012 (UTC)
 * Go for it. :-)  Ghmyrtle (talk) 20:24, 16 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I'll try but it's gonna be tough lol ;) BrothaTimothy (talk · contribs) 04:07, 19 November 2012 (UTC)

Edit this entire article (help)
Like Bobby Byrd once sung, "I need help (with this article), can't do it alone". This article's got so many doggone "sources" and everything, it doesn't read like an article, it reads like a long book of notes. I tried doing it on my own but it's hard to break it down when you unexpectedly delete the sources. So I'm gonna need help with this so we can get this article down to respectable size. BrothaTimothy (talk · contribs) 07:52, 21 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I think the problem with the article is that it's massively too long; but, at the same time, it's generally well written and well referenced. If it were badly written, it would be much easier to cut out 80% of it - but it would be verging on vandalism to do that here.  I think the best starting point might be to move a lot of the information on individual album and single releases into their own articles, creating new articles where necessary, and use the remaining material here to create a narrative.  Another approach might be to start off from the earlier shorter version here, and add back in the relevant corrections and important new material that has been added.   Perhaps it is also worthwhile raising the need for editing at WikiProject Guild of Copy Editors/Requests, and see whether anyone there is willing to help with the process of making the article more readable.   I wonder whether the editor who added most of the material - User:Smjwalsh - has a view, and might be willing to help?  As an experienced and well respected editor here, he/she must realise that what we have now does not meet the requirements of WP:LENGTH.  In fact, it could actually deter people from learning about Burke, because if people want a digestible overview they are not necessarily going to want to tackle a 224 kilobyte tract.   Personally, I'm more than happy to offer some assistance and comments, but I'm afraid I can't commit to a major editing job. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:17, 21 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I see, this is why I just stopped short of totally editing it... BrothaTimothy (talk · contribs) 21:25, 21 November 2012 (UTC)
 * That's a great job - thanks so much. I've made a few tweaks, for style, but nothing major, I hope.  Ghmyrtle (talk) 12:08, 23 November 2012 (UTC)
 * No problem and I like the tweaks. BrothaTimothy (talk · contribs) 02:05, 27 November 2012 (UTC)

Birth name
The article says he was born James Solomon McDonald (sourced to an offline obituary), but the infobox says Solomon Vincent McDonald Burke (unsourced). We need to be consistent. What do the most reliable sources say? Ghmyrtle (talk) 12:21, 23 November 2012 (UTC)


 * That is a real good question. BrothaTimothy (talk · contribs) 02:04, 27 November 2012 (UTC)

Blood clot source
I'm not the author, but this part of the "declining health" section doesn't have references

At a 2012 probate court hearing of Burke's will, Burke's manger/live in lover, Jane Margolis Vickers, admitted to Burke having a blood clot before getting on the plane in DC to Amsterdam. Vickers drove Burke from his home in Los Angeles to Maine, and then from Maine to Washington DC where Burke took his final flight. Less than 24 hours after Vickers and Burke were told by doctors (Northern VA. Reston Hospital Emergence room) to discontinue his travel because of a potentially fatal blood clot, Burke was wheeled on to the last plane ride of his life. Joel.sbateman (talk) 05:39, 15 June 2014 (UTC)