Billy Paul

The Profile

Billy Paul (born Paul Williams; December 1, 1934 – April 24, 2016) was an American soul singer associated with the Philadelphia soul sound. He achieved international fame with the 1972 hit Me and Mrs. Jones, which won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. A key artist on Philadelphia International Records, he worked closely with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

Signed to Philadelphia International Records; collaborated with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff; Me and Mrs. Jones reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts in 1972 and earned him a Grammy; notable albums include 360 Degrees of Billy Paul, War of the Gods, Going East, and When Love Is New; vocal style blends jazz phrasing with soul and R&B.

A single, glowing review places Billy Paul squarely in the heart of the 1970s Philadelphia soul movement. It spotlights Me and Mrs. Jones, its story of an illicit romance, and the lush 1972 arrangement by Gamble & Huff. The reviewer lauds Paul’s warm, distinctive voice and calls the song a masterpiece. Overall sentiment: heartfelt admiration.