
Billy Paul has died at the age of 80
Credit: Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images
Billy Paul, the jazz and soul singer best known for his legendary hit "Me and Mrs. Jones," died on Sunday, April 24.
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The musician, whose career spanned more than 60 years, died at his home in Blackwood, New Jersey. His producers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, confirmed his passing to Us Weekly in a statement. He was 80 years old.
"We are very saddened to learn of the sudden death of our good friend and Philadelphia International Records recording artist Billy Paul," the statement read. "From the time we saw Billy performing live, and then signing him to our label, we immediately realized that we had discovered and launched one the most unique voices in the music industry," it continued.
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"Our proudest moment with Billy was the recording of the salacious smash, Me and Mrs. Jones. In our view, it is one of the greatest love songs ever recorded. Billy will forever have a special place in music history.
The number one hit song won Paul a Grammy in 1973 for best male rhythm 'n' blues performance. The jazz star continued to perform live until he fell ill, with one of his favorite concert pieces being a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain."
A statement on his website says the singer died of a "serious medical condition." His comanager, Beverly Gay, told The Associated Press that he had been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Paul is survived by his wife, Blanche Williams and their two children.
#1: sneakypete To: Deckard, *Music*, *Obits* (#0)
Did he have any other hits?
sneakypete posted on 2016-04-25 11:29:23 Reply Private Reply
#2: Willie Green To: sneakypete (#1)
Willie Green posted on 2016-04-25 11:44:56 Reply Private Reply
#3: sneakypete To: Willie Green (#2)
That thing started off with sirens,which is NOT a way to get on my good side,and got worse for as long as I could stand to listen to it. Flat and dreary are two words that come to mind.
sneakypete posted on 2016-04-25 11:52:46 Reply Private Reply
#4: Willie Green To: sneakypete (#3)
Willie Green posted on 2016-04-25 12:38:03 Reply Private Reply
#5: Deckard To: sneakypete (#1)
I remember that song from back when I was in the AF and dating my H.S. sweetie.
From Wikipedia, it looks like that was his only real hit though.
Deckard posted on 2016-04-25 12:47:07 Reply Private Reply
#6: goodnessmarlok To: Deckard (#0)
goodnessmarlok posted on 2016-04-25 13:12:46 Reply Private Reply
#7: no gnu taxes To: sneakypete (#1)
Nothing of note at all.
no gnu taxes posted on 2016-04-25 14:30:15 Reply Private Reply
#8: sneakypete To: goodnessmarlok (#6)
Which is quite an accomplishment for a black jazz musician that grew up playing in jazz clubs in the 50's and 60's. Being a heroin addict gave a jazzman credibility.
My hat is off to him for that.
sneakypete posted on 2016-04-25 14:53:29 Reply Private Reply
#9: sneakypete To: no gnu taxes (#7)
That's still 100 percent more than I had.
"One Hit Wonders" at least had that one hit,which is a hell of a lot more than most of the people who criticize them for it have ever done.
sneakypete posted on 2016-04-25 14:55:14 Reply Private Reply
#10: no gnu taxes To: sneakypete (#9)
no gnu taxes posted on 2016-04-25 17:49:51 Reply Private Reply
#11: sneakypete To: no gnu taxes (#10)
sneakypete posted on 2016-04-25 17:56:39 Reply Private Reply
#12: no gnu taxes To: sneakypete (#11)
no gnu taxes posted on 2016-04-25 18:06:51 Reply Private Reply
#13: sneakypete To: no gnu taxes (#12)
Ok,thanks. Now I know I didn't miss anything working 12-16 hours a day back in the 80's.
sneakypete posted on 2016-04-25 18:38:30 Reply Private Reply
#14: no gnu taxes To: sneakypete (#13)
I could post videos of 100 one hit wonders, but I'll save that for another thread.
no gnu taxes posted on 2016-04-25 18:46:27 Reply Private Reply