(July 13, 2022) It has been a rough year for fans of R&B legends, and the hits seem to keep coming. Today we are sad to report the passing of Reginald “Sonny” Burke, talented keyboardist, arranger and producer, and three decade music director for the great Smokey Robinson. He was 76.
Burke’s brother, Kirkland Burke, posted the sad news on social media:
It is with a broken heart that I have the sad duty to inform you my big brother Reginald W. Burke, known professionally as Sonny Burke, made his transition July 5, 2022. It has been very difficult for me to gather myself to send this out. I’ll follow-up with more on his amazing life at a later date.
I miss my big brother.
Kirkland Burke
Burke was the consummate musician, who seemed to excel at any instrument with keys on it. He performed on more than 500 albums for a virtual who’s who of classic soul artists, including The Temptations, Jerry Butler, Johnny Mathis, Tavares, Bobby Womack, The Four Tops, The Pointer Sisters, and countless others. Burke was also a noted songwriter, having co-written such hits as “Serpentine Fire” for Earth Wind & Fire and “Let’s Go All The Way” for The Whispers.
Here are funeral arrangements for Mr. Burke
Thursday – July 14 – Wake
Leak & Sons Funeral Home
7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60619
(773) 846-6567
Wake – 6:00 pm -8:00 pm
Friday – July 15 – Viewing & Funeral
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church
4130 S. Indiana Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60653
(773) 624-6722
Viewing – 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Homegoing Celebration – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Interment – Immediately following funeral service
Mount Hope Cemetery
11500 S. Farfield
Chicago, IL. 60655
(708) 371-2818
