2016 is not a good year for musical legends. Now, Billy Paul, the singer most widely known for the classic “Me and Mrs. Jones,” has died at the age of 81 this past Sunday (April 24).
“We regret to announce with a heavy heart that Billy has passed away today at home after a serious medical condition,” the statement on his website reads.
“We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Blanche and family for their loss, as they and the world grieves the loss of another musical icon that helped pioneer today's R&B music. Billy will be truly missed. Please share your thoughts, messages and stories of Billy as we remember this legendary artist, family member and friend,” the statement further said.
Paul’s manager, Beverly Gray, officially shared the tragic news with NBC10. According to Gray, Paul passed away at his house in Blackwood, N.J., following a cancer diagnosis. He had been hospitalized shortly before in Philadelphia at Temple University Hospital.
As reported by Billboard, Paul had a predetermined singing career from a young age and performed with legend Charlie Parker when he was just 16. Parker died later that year, but Paul had been documented in the past as claiming that he learned in a week what would have taken two years with another mentor.
Paul released a record 15 albums in his long-spanning career, and ended with Wide Open in 1988. He has received praise from the likes of Questlove, who said that Paul was “one of the criminally unmentioned proprietors of socially conscious post-revolution ‘60s civil rights music.”
A representative for Paul told NBC10 that the family will be arranging the funeral and releasing information on it shortly.
