Born into a family that established its own church, Burke was both a preacher and the host of a gospel radio program by age 12. He began recording in 1955 but did not have his first national hit until 1961, with a rhythm-and-blues version of a country (country music) ballad (pop ballad), "Just out of Reach." His recordings, most of which were produced in New York City, incorporated gospel-derived vocal techniques—shouted interjections, an exhortatory recitation, melisma, and rasping timbre. At Atlantic Records, under producer Bert Berns, Burke became one of the first rhythm-and-blues performers to be called a soul artist, based on his success with "Cry to Me" (1962), "If You Need Me" (1963), "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" (1964), "Got to Get You off My Mind" (1965), and his last Top 40 pop hit, "Tonight's the Night" (1965). After the mid-1960s Burke continued to record but with lessening success, last placing a record on the rhythm-and-blues chart in 1978. In the 1980s and '90s he remained a popular performer on the blues festival and club circuit. Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.