Paul Williams, a soulful talented singer from Philly died in late April.
His birth name may give it away, but it we told you it was the incomparable Billy Paul that has died, you would then understand our melancholy. Billy Paul gave us the classic “Me and Mrs. Jones” in 1972, and we never slow danced the same. Billy Paul was a struggling blues singer in the mid-50s, his singing career taking a detour as he was drafted by the Army in 1957. While stationed in Germany, he, a young man named Elvis Presley, and Gary Crosby (Bing’s son) were going to start a band. The three never got that chance, so Billy returned to Philadelphia and found success as a singer in the early 70s.
Having spent years away from the spotlight, Billy hit he news in 2000, suing Nike for its use of “Me and Mrs. Jones” in an Olympic/Nike commercial Billy retreated to anonymity and lived his remaining years in peace until his death in New Jersey at the age of 82.
—
Photo credit: Geoff Goldswain / Shutterstock.com