Billy Paul
Encyclopedia
Billy Paul is a Grammy Award winning American
soul
singer, most known for his 1972 number-one
single
, "Me and Mrs. Jones
" as well as the 1973 album and single "War of the Gods
" which blends his more conventional pop, soul and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences. He is usually identified by his diverse vocal
style which ranges from mellow and soulful to low and raspy.
, 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, appearing in concert
with 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 Records
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, with "Me and Mrs. Jones
" being the most notable track.
"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 the United Kingdom
where the single entered the Top 20 of the UK Singles Chart
reaching number 12 in early 1973. In the years since then, the song has been covered numerous times, most notably by Freddie Jackson
in 1992 and Michael Bublé
in 2007.
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 UK
, 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".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer, most known for his 1972 number-one
Chart topper
Chart topper may refer to:*Record chart, a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time**Billboard charts, a ranking of the relative popularity of songs or albums in the United States...
single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Me and Mrs. Jones
Me and Mrs. Jones
"Me and Mrs. Jones" is a soul song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It describes an extramarital affair between a man and his lover, Mrs. Jones. It has been recorded by Billy Paul and Michael Bublé, amongst others.-Billy Paul version:"Me and Mrs...
" as well as the 1973 album and single "War of the Gods
War of the Gods
War of the Gods may refer to:* "War of the Gods" , a two-part episode of the 1978 television series Battlestar Galactica...
" which blends his more conventional pop, soul and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences. He is usually identified by his diverse vocal
Human voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
style which ranges from mellow and soulful to low and raspy.
Biography
Born and raised in North Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaNorth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
North Philadelphia, nicknamed North Philly, is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is immediately north of Center City...
, Paul began his singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
career when he was twelve, appearing on local radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
shows. Listening at home to his family's collection of 78s
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, Paul began developing a vocal style that would eventually incorporate traces of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
.
Paul attended Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, West Philadelphia Music School, and Granoff School of Music
Granoff School of Music
The Granoff School of Music is a music school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, founded by Isadore Granoff , a Ukrainian immigrant.Alumni of Granoff include Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Fortune and John Coltrane...
, 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, appearing in concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
with Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
, Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
, Nina Simone
Nina Simone
Eunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
, Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, The Impressions, Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
and Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music...
.
Paul formed a trio and cut his first record, "Why Am I" for Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records was a record label specializing in rhythm and blues along with novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. Jerry Blaine became Abramson's partner. Blaine bought out Abramson's half of the company in 1947. The company name was Jay-Gee Recording...
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
Gamble and Huff
Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are an American songwriting and record production team who have written and produced over 170 gold and platinum records. They were pioneers of Philadelphia soul and the in-house creative team for the Philadelphia International record label...
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
Neptune Records
Neptune Records was a record label founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1969. They featured artists such as The O'Jays, The Three Degrees and Billy Paul....
.
Later still, Going East, Paul's first album released on the Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records is a record label founded by writer-producers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971. It was famous for showcasing the sub-genre of Philadelphia soul music and released a string of worldwide hits during the decade.-History:...
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, with "Me and Mrs. Jones
Me and Mrs. Jones
"Me and Mrs. Jones" is a soul song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It describes an extramarital affair between a man and his lover, Mrs. Jones. It has been recorded by Billy Paul and Michael Bublé, amongst others.-Billy Paul version:"Me and Mrs...
" being the most notable track.
"Me and Mrs. Jones
Me and Mrs. Jones
"Me and Mrs. Jones" is a soul song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It describes an extramarital affair between a man and his lover, Mrs. Jones. It has been recorded by Billy Paul and Michael Bublé, amongst others.-Billy Paul version:"Me and Mrs...
" 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
Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance was awarded between 1968 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*In 1968 it was awarded as Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Male...
. The gold album
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
and platinum single
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
broke the artist on world charts, including the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
where the single entered the Top 20 of the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
reaching number 12 in early 1973. In the years since then, the song has been covered numerous times, most notably by Freddie Jackson
Freddie Jackson
Frederick Anthony "Freddie" Jackson is an American soul singer. He was an important figure in R&B during the 1980s and early 1990s...
in 1992 and Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé
Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
in 2007.
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
American Music Awards
-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
, the NAACP Image Award and numerous proclamations and keys to cities
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
across the United States. He has also toured internationally in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
.
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
Let's Stay Together (song)
"Let's Stay Together" is a song by Al Green on his 1972 album of the same name. Released as a single in 1971, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboards R&B chart for nine weeks. It was ranked the 60th greatest song of all time...
". Other songs he recorded include "Thanks for Saving My Life", "Let 'Em In
Let 'em In
"Let 'Em In" is a song by Wings from their 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney and reached the top 3 in both the United States and the United Kingdom: It was a #2 hit in the UK, and in the US it was a #3 pop hit and #1 easy listening hit...
", "Your Song
Your Song
"Your Song" is a ballad composed and performed by English musician Elton John with lyrics by his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin. It appeared on John's self-titled second album in 1970....
", "Only the Strong Survive" and "Bring the Family Back".
Albums
- 1968 Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club (Gamble Records SG 5002)
- 1970 Ebony Woman (Neptune NLPS 201)
- 1971 Going EastGoing EastGoing East is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. The album was arranged by Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula and Thom Bell.-Reception:Released in 1971, this would be his Philadelphia International Records debut.-Track listing:...
(Philadelphia International KZ 30580) - 1972 360 Degrees of Billy Paul360 Degrees of Billy Paul360 Degrees Of Billy Paul is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. It was arranged by Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula and Norman Harris.-Reception:Released in 1972, includes the Grammy Award winning number one pop and soul single "Me and Mrs...
(Philadelphia International KZ 31793) - 1973 Ebony Woman (Philadelphia International KZ 32118 - reissue of Neptune NLPS 201 )
- 1973 Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club (Philadelphia International KZ 32119 - reissue of Gamble SG 5002)
- 1973 War of the GodsWar of the Gods (album)War of the Gods is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. The album was arranged by Bobby Martin and Lenny Pakula. Released in 1973, this album reached number twelve on the Billboard Soul Album chart.-Track listing:...
(Philadelphia International KZ 32409) - 1974 Live in Europe (Philadelphia International KZ 32952)
- 1975 Got My Head on Straight (Philadelphia International KZ 33157)
- 1975 When Love Is New (Philadelphia International KZ 33843)
- 1976 Let 'Em In (Philadelphia International KZ 34389)
- 1977 Only the Strong Survive (Philadelphia International KZ 34923)
- 1979 First Class (Philadelphia International KZ 35756)
- 1980 Best of Billy Paul (Philadelphia International Z 2-36314)
- 1985 Lately (Total Experience TEL8-5711)
- 1988 Wide Open (Ichiban ICH 1025)
See also
- Guests on Soul TrainGuests on Soul TrainThis is a list of performers who have appeared on the American musical dance program Soul Train.-A:-B:-C:-D:-E:-F:-G:-H:-I:-J:-K:-L:-M:-N:-O:-P:-R:-S:-T:-U:-V:-W:-XYZ:...
- List of disco artists (A-E)
- R&B number-one hits of 1972 (USA)R&B number-one hits of 1972 (USA)These are the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart number one hits of 1972:See also: 1972 in music, List of number-one R&B hits -Chart comparisons:...
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
- List of people from Philadelphia
- Philadelphia soulPhiladelphia soulPhiladelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
- List of disco artists
- List of soul musicians
External links
- Billy Paul's Official Website
- [ Billy Paul biography] at Allmusic websiteWebsiteA website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
- Biography at Oldies.com
- Billy Paul at PhillySoulClassics.com