Billy Paul

Philadelphia native Billy Paul, born in 1935, first attracted attention with radio appearances at age eleven while developing a deep jazz foundation. Prior to forming his own trio for Jubilee sessions, the vocalist had worked alongside Dinah Washington, Miles Davis, Roberta Flack, and Charlie Parker. Though his recording career began in the 1950s with that Jubilee debut, every one of his hits arrived in the 1970s as an R&B vocalist.

Originally issued in 1959 on New Dawn, “Ebony Woman” was later revisited to title his 1970 Neptune album. After signing with Philadelphia International the following year, Paul reached his commercial peak in 1972 when “Me and Mrs. Jones” topped both the R&B and pop charts. His only other Top Ten R&B single, “Thanks for Saving My Life,” appeared in 1974. He remained with Philadelphia International into the mid-1980s.

Total Experience issued the 1985 album Lately, after which he recorded once more for Ichiban. Paul announced his retirement in London in 1989 yet continued sporadic club performances in America and abroad. He died in April 2016 at the age of eighty.