Billy Paul

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007)
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can. (August 2007)
Billy Paul in concert (2006)
For the British saxophonist also named Billy Paul, see the Wizzo Band.

Billy Paul (born Paul Williams, 1 December 1934, Philadelphia [1]) is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, most known for his 1972 number-one single, "Me and Mrs. Jones".

Contents

[edit] Biography

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Billy Paul began his singing career when he was twelve, appearing on local radio shows. Listening at home to his family's collection of 78s, Paul began developing a vocal style that would eventually incorporate traces of jazz, R&B and pop.

Paul attended Temple University, West Philadelphia Music School, and Granoff School of Music, for formal vocal training. Switching from rock music to soul to pop ballads, he soon became known through his performances on the underground musical circuit in Philadelphia. Paul's popularity grew and led to appearances in clubs and at college campuses nationally. This led to further opportunities, such as appearing in concert with such artists as Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, The Impressions, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Roberta Flack.

Paul formed a trio and cut his first record, "Why Am I" for Jubilee Records before being drafted into the Armed Services. After his discharge, he joined the New Dawn record label, and was a brief stand in for one of the Blue Notes with Harold Melvin. His first Philly album, Feeling Good at the Cadillac Club combined Billy Paul and Gamble/Huff produced songs, and was released on the Gamble Label. This was followed by Ebony Woman, a more commercial release on the Gamble & Huff Neptune Label.

Later still, Going East, Paul's first album released on the Philadelphia International Label, placed him into the mainstream arena. However, it was with his second album that he received both commercial and critical recognition. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul, and Me and Mrs. Jones being the most notable tracks.

"Me and Mrs. Jones" was a No. 1 hit for the last three weeks of 1972, selling two million copies (platinum single status), and went on to win Paul a Grammy Award. The gold album and platinum single broke the artist on world charts, including Britain where the single entered the top twenty of the UK Singles Chart.[1]

In addition to receiving the Grammy, Paul has won several Ebby awards (given by the readers of Ebony Magazine); has been the recipient at the American Music Awards, the NAACP Image Award and numerous proclamations and keys to cities across the United States. He has also toured internationally in the United Kingdom, and Latin America.

Paul was on the Neptune Records label for many years. He recorded much other material of note, including "Am I Black Enough For You?", "Let's Make a Baby" and an alternate version of Let's Stay Together. Other songs he recorded include "Thanks for Saving My Life", Let 'em In, Your Song, Only the Strong Survive and "Bring the Family Back".

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums, 19th, London: Guinness World Records Limited, p. 420. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.