Billy Paul was born Paul Williams on December 1, 1934. He was influenced by female jazz singers like Billie Holiday.
Paul started his singing career at age 11 while attending the West Philadelphia Music School. By age 16 he was on a bill with Charlie Parker.
Billy Paul worked with Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Sammy David Jr and Roberta Flack under his real name Paul Williams but changed to Billy Paul to avoid confusion with songwriter Paul Williams and sax player Paul ‘Hucklebuck’ Williams. His first performance as Billy Paul was for a six week residency at the famed Apollo Theatre.
Billy Paul started recording in 1952 but in 1957 was drafted into the Army and served with Elvis Presley.
In 1972 he recorded the album ‘360 Degrees of Billy Paul’. It featured his classic song ‘Me and Mrs Jones’. It sold over 2 million copies and earned Billy a Grammy Award. The song was covered by Michael Bublé in 2007.
Billy Paul died at his home in Blackwood, New Jersey from pancreatic cancer.
