Jerry Butler
by request
Jerry Butler, Jr. (born December 8, 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi) is an American soul singer also known as "The Ice Man" because of his cool demeanour while singing often intensely emotional lyrics.
The mid-1950s had a profound impact on Butler’s life. He grew up poor, having lived in Chicago’s rough and tumble Cabrini Green housing complex. Music and the church provided solace from a city that was as segregated as those in the Deep South. He performed in a church choir with Curtis Mayfield. As teens, Butler sang in a gospel quartet called Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers along with Mayfield. Mayfield, a guitar player, became the lone instrumentist for the six-member acappella group, which later morphed into The Impressions. Inspired by music icons Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Pilgrim Travelers, getting into the music business seemed inevitable.
At age 18, Butler penned "For Your Precious Love" and wanted to cut a record for it — not necessarily a hit record. Shopping for recording studios, the group auditioned for Chess and VeeJay Records, both located on famed Record Row on Michigan Avenue between 22nd Street and Roosevelt Road, where all the record distributors and record companies where housed. The group eventually signed with VeeJay Records where they released "For Your Precious Love," in 1958, which became the Impressions' first hit to go gold.
Butler was dubbed the "Iceman" by a Philadelphia disc jockey while performing in a Philadelphia theater. When the sound system went out, Butler continued singing — staying cool under pressure. However, Butler achieved what eluded many earlier Doo Wop groups during the 1950s and '60s — longevity. Butler’s solo career had a string of hits including "Brand New Me," "Ain’t Understanding Mellow," "Never Gonna Give You Up," followed by two hugely successful albums The Iceman Cometh in 1968 and Ice On Ice in 1970. The Iceman Cometh garnered Butler three Grammy nominations.
Butler continues to perform his classic hit “For Your Precious Love,” in between his regular gig as Cook County Board Commissioner, where he has served since the 1980s.
Information courtesy of Wikipedia
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT...
- Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2007! I remember at this time in 1969 we were really gettng into Abbey Road! But oh, how I love the sweet soul music of the 60's and 70's as well. Thanks for your work in keeping this music alive. And keep on sending it, Brother! Dennis M.
- Moonchild Diva in Motown - found the site by looking for Billy Stewart! I think you answered my question...who played bass on Billy's recordings? SO THANK YOU for clearing up the mystery!
- Billy Stewart , alright, one of my favorites. Also, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Willy Tee....
Your friend, Dirk H.
- Thanks for Billy Stewart Larry - You have made
my day! Betsy K.
- I look forward to Friday's email. This is great.
Linda L.
- Wow! From your personal E-Mail account. I forward "Its Friday in Athens!!!" on to my friends often. The folks here at work are trying to figure me out. Their 56 year old C.E.O. sits in his office every Friday morning booming out R&B. Though it works for me, its not the type of behavior they expect from someone in my position. BLUES BANKER!
- Thanks for Joe T. Luv'd it! Roy Head and the Traits?
Hope you had a good Turkey Day. T. Turgeon
- I keep waiting for Jackie Wilson and Billy Stewart....I have
decided that like me, you have an older brother or sister
who had you listening to this music as a kid.
Hope all is well your way.
Betsy K.
- How about a little Joe Tex? T. Turgeon
- Thanks, "I LOVE IT! Makes my day! M.N.
- WOW WOW WOW AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW OF THE real STYLE OF MUSIC - Atlanta Cooking
- In my time, this is the most fascinating music I have ever heard. **86
- Keep up the great and extremely important work. We met I believe at Michael Guthrie's house a few weeks ago at the HVARII Reunion. I am a great lover of our R&B and it's great to see someone who truly cares about it. Ole!
T. Turgeon
- Again, the "It's Friday" series is great - I love it
every week and have sent it on to so many folks -
thanks again. Betsy K.
- Aretha is my personal favorite so far! Peggy M.
- LOVE THIS...I NEED SOMETHNG TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY !!!! C. Lady
- Great! Perfect! Dance Music I Love It!!! Laine L.
- I think you missed your calling as a DJ! Nicki S.
- Keep 'em coming!! I really enjoy listening to "my kind of music". Thank you. Mary M.
- I like getting your email every Friday, keep it coming!
Carlas A.
- DON'T FORGET THE 'QUEEN OF SOUL'........ ARETHA!!!!! YOUR MAKING MY FRIDAYS. RONK
- MY FRIENDS REALLY LIKE FRIDAY IN ATHENS! ONE IS SENDING EVERYONE AT THE COURTHOUSE AN EMAIL. Ron H.
- THANKS SO MUCH EACH WEEK! Nancy W.
- This makes me smile! Ray C.
- Great job, keep up the good work. Terry T.
- I SAVE UNTIL FRI AFTERNOON, BY 5:00 P.M. I'M REVVVVED!!! RONK
- Thanks for this humanitarian service to get us crunk for district wide planning. Wilson Pickett reminds us to put a “spotlight on Otis Redding y’all”. Yeah,yeah, oh yeah. Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-Faaa! Karl S.
- Thanks. What a pleasant surprise to get to work and open this e-mail- glad I started with yours first. Melanie B.
- Thanks for the Friday emails Larry!! I really enjoy them.
Kim S.
- Thanks for the sound of good music. I really do love my oldies but goodies.
- Thanks!!! This is great! Jane B.
- Great site! How about some Sam Cooke???
- Thanks for the music! Steve P.
- I love this! Thanks. Dianne M.
- I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your
Friday emails. Thanks for including me! Betsy K.
- I appreciate the link – good stuff! Jon W.
- I LIKE IT!!!!!! Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbara S.
- THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! Susan R.
- So in your spare time you try to cheer up everyone? Thanks, Lori R.
- I love these songs. Thanks. Terri S.
- Awesome……Thanks for doing this, we all look forward to it every week. I’ve sent it to everyone I know! Debi D.
- I needed this today! Thanks. Susan S.
Good selection for this fabulous Friday!!!!!
- Thanks for the Music this morning. I think I could listen to this all day, if people didn't think I was crazy for MOVING in my chair. Have a great weekend. Joyce G.
- This is awesome! Thanks, Debi D.
