Grammy Award winning singer Billy
Paul (whose birth name was Paul Williams), associated with the Philadelphia
Soul sound of the 1970s, died on April 24, 2016 of pancreatic cancer at the age
of 81.
Mr. Paul began his music
career at the age of 11, performing on a local radio station. He was formally
trained in voice, attending the Granoff School of Music. At the age of 16, he
played the Club Harlem in Philadelphia, alongside Charlie “Bird” Parker.
In 1968, Billy fortuitously met
Kenny Gamble, and recorded "Feeling Good at the Cadillac Club" in
less than four hours, helping to launch Gamble & Huff.
Mr. Paul sang briefly with the
Blue Notes, and with the Flamingos.
Paul was best known for his 1972
hit, “Me and Mrs. Jones,” which was later covered by the Dramatics. In 2000,
Nike used Paul's biggest hit for a commercial featuring track phenom Marion
Jones, which sparked a lawsuit, which Paul won. Shortly thereafter, Paul sued
Philadelphia International and Sony for miscalculating his royalties. He
eventually won $.5 million, and many other artists profited from his battle
with the record companies.
In 2009, the biographical film Am
I Black Enough for You was released, titled after Paul's 1973 recording of
that name.
In addition to his Grammy, Paul
won an American Music Award, and an NAACP Image Award.
Although Mr. Paul absented himself
from the popular music scene following his pseudo-retirement in 1989, he
continued to play theaters, clubs, and jazz festivals. He will be missed for
his unique voice and contributions to the music industry.
Billy Paul [1934 – 2016]
© 04/25/2016
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