John Schiller, is featured in the “Legal Affairs” section of Crain’s Cleveland Business for his work with the “King of Rock & Soul,” Solomon Burke.
You probably know that Solomon Burke, the "King of Rock & Soul," is coming to Cain Park in Cleveland to perform on August 12.
And, you may know that the legendary 60-something rock/country/gospel/soul singer has enjoyed an entertainment renaissance in the last five years.
What you don't know is that behind Solomon Burke's comeback and success since 2001 is a Cleveland lawyer, who has been responsible for negotiating his music contracts, reviving his career and becoming his closest adviser and one of his closest friends.
In the last five years, Solomon Burke has enjoyed two successful CDs, won a Grammy, was elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, appeared on the BBC in England and CBS's "60 Minutes," appeared in a Martin Scorsese movie, been featured in the Wall Street Journal, and performed live for over a million fans in 10 countries.
In 2000, Solomon Burke met John Schiller, an attorney in Cleveland who had taken a year's sabbatical from law to start an internet music company. The two couldn't be more different in their backgrounds and their lifestyles, but there was chemistry between them that lead to a professional and personal bond.
In 2001, Solomon asked John to help revive his career. The odyssey began between the entertainer and the attorney. One is twice the age of the other, but both men have gained something valuable from their symbiotic relationship. It is an "unlikely "partnership of trust and mutual respect" that has blossomed into something neither Solomon nor John ever would have predicted five years ago.
In the liner notes of Solomon's latest, critically-acclaimed CD, "Make do with what you've got," which came out in March of this year, Solomon acknowledges his debt of gratitude to "Sir John E. Schiller". He states: Without his perseverance and dedication, this album would not exist."
John Schiller is a full-time attorney at Walter & Haverfield law firm in Cleveland.
