Billy Paul

• Genre: Soul
• Billy Paul Website

About

After getting his start on radio as a child, Philadelphia soul singer Billy Paul performed with legends like Coltrane and Charlie Parker in the 1950s and '60s. He recorded as part of a trio for many years, and began releasing solo albums in 1970. He hit the big time with his third album, 360 Degrees of Billy Paul, which spawned the hugely successful single "Me and Mrs. Jones." He continued to release excellent material throughout the '70s, with help from Philly songwriting/production gurus Gamble and Huff. Blurring the lines between jazz, funk, blues and R&B (and later disco), his albums continued to sell well, earning him an international fan base and multiple Grammys. His output slowed in the '80s, and he announced his retirement in 1989. Since then, he has reemerged and toured extensively around the world. He released the concert album Live: World Tour in 2000, and in 2003 he received $500,000 in unpaid royalties for "Me and Mrs. Jones."

- Brolin Winning