Billy Paul
Billy Paul was a jazz and soul singer best known for his hit song “Me and Mrs. Jones.” The record, about a man’s love for a married woman, became a No. 1 hit in 1972. The song was written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert. It was a signature sound from writer-producer duo Gamble and Huff, who made a stream of hits in the 1970s for Philadelphia International Records.
The song was one of the top singles of 1972 and earned Paul a Grammy the following year in the category of best male rhythm and blues performance. The runners-up included Ray Charles and Curtis Mayfield.
Over the course of Paul’s 60-year career, he cracked the Top 40 once more, with 1973’s “Thanks for Saving My Life,” and made the Top 100 with “Let’s Make a Baby” and “Let’s Clean Up the Ghetto.”
His music was also featured in film and television shows, including the series Supernatural, Scandal and Independent Lens. He also performed his hits on Soul Train, Top of the Pops, The Mike Douglas Show and Showtime at the Apollo.
Billy Paul was a jazz and soul singer best known for his hit song “Me and Mrs. Jones.” The record, about a man’s love for a married woman, became a No. 1 hit in 1972. The song was written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert. It was a signature sound from writer-producer duo Gamble and Huff, who made a stream of hits in the 1970s for Philadelphia International Records.
The song was one of the top singles of 1972 and earned Paul a Grammy the following year in the category of best male rhythm and blues performance. The runners-up included Ray Charles and Curtis Mayfield.
Over the course of Paul’s 60-year career, he cracked the Top 40 once more, with 1973’s “Thanks for Saving My Life,” and made the Top 100 with “Let’s Make a Baby” and “Let’s Clean Up the Ghetto.”
His music was also featured in film and television shows, including the series Supernatural, Scandal and Independent Lens. He also performed his hits on Soul Train, Top of the Pops, The Mike Douglas Show and Showtime at the Apollo.
Additionally, he appeared in the 2009 Swedish documentary about his life, Am I Black Enough for You.
Paul died April 24, 2016, in Blackwood, New Jersey. He was 81.
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