Billy Paul biography
:''For the British saxophonist also named Billy Paul, see the Wizzo Band.
Billy Paul (born Paul Williams, December 1, 1934, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States) is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, most known for his 1972 number-one single, "Me and Mrs. Jones". He was usually identified by his distinguishably raspy vocal.
Biography
Born and raised in Philadelphia, 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.
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