Famed R&B singer Billy Paul died Sunday after being recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his manager, Beverly Gay, told NBC10. Paul, born Paul Williams, had been hospitalized last week at Temple University Hospital, but passed away at his home in Blackwood, New Jersey. He was 81.
A note confirming Paul’s death was posted to his website:
We regret to announce with a heavy heart that Billy has passed away today at home after a serious medical condition.
We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Blanche and family for their loss, as they and the world grieves the loss of another musical icon that helped pioneered today’s R&B music. Billy will be truly missed.
Please share you thought, messages and stories of Billy as we remember this legendary artist, family member and friend.
Paul was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 1, 1934. He began his singing career at the young age of 11, with two of his biggest musical influences being Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. He soon began performing at jazz clubs and college campus with other artists who went on to have legendary careers, such as Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, and Miles Davis.
He released his first album, Feelin’ Good at the Cadillac Club, in 1968 on producer Kenny Gamble’s Gamble Records label. But he was launched into stardom with his hit song, “Me and Mrs. Jones,” in 1972. The song, written and produced by Gamble and Leon A. Huff, soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles chart and also earned a Grammy award.
His follow-up song was “Am I Black Enough For You?” but the song’s message proved to be too pro-Black for mainstream success.
Throughout his 60-year career, he released 15 albums. Paul remained highly respected within the music industry, with The Roots drummer Questlove even once calling him “one of the criminally unmentioned proprietors of socially conscious post-revolution ’60s civil rights music.”
