Billy Paul, the soul singer best known for the Philadelphia soul classic, Me and Mrs Jones, has died aged 80.

A statement on his website said he died on Sunday of a “serious medical condition”. The NME music magazine has reported that this was pancreatic cancer.billy paul me & mrs jones vinyl single cover

Billy Paul, who was born as Paul Williams in Philadelphia, helped shape the course of modern R&B music. In his youth, he performed alongside soul legends including Charlie Parker and Nina Simone.

Later on Billy Paul was one of many soul singers who found success with the writing and production team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff at their music stable Philadelphia International Records along with thoroughbreds the O’Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Three Degrees, Archie Bell & The Drells, The Intruders and Lou Rawls to name but a few.

In 2003, Billy Paul won £250,534 lawsuit for royalties owed for the song Me and Mrs Jones from 1994 to 2002 by Assorted Music. The company claimed it was an accounting discrepancy and not a case of trying to rip off Billy Paul.

Although Billy Paul will be best remembered for his 1972 hit Me and Mrs Jones, which won a Grammy award and reached No12 in the UK and No1 number in the US, there were other classics recalled in this Top 5 Best Billy Paul Songs –

Top5 Best Billy Paul Songsbilly paul me & mrs jones vinyl single

1) Me & Mrs Jones ( 1972 )

2) Only The Strong Survive ( 1977 )

3) Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto ( 1977 )

4) Thanks For Saving My Life ( 1973 )

5) Let’s Make A Baby ( 1976 )

 

Celebrate your love of Billy Paul by ordering your favourite Billy Paul song as a framed vinyl single. If it’s intended as a gift you can personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque. ORDER @ www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

 

Framed Vinyl Single MFRFramed vinyl records and framed CDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! 

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