American jazz and soul singer Billy Paul has died at the age of 81.
Paul, born Paul Williams, was best known for his 1972 number one hit and Philadelphia soul classic Me and Mrs Jones, which also won a Grammy award.
Paul's manager Beverley Gay said Paul died at his home in Blackwood, New Jersey, United States on Sunday local time (Monday NZ time), following a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Known by his beard and large glasses, Paul was one of many singers who found success with the writing and producing team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, whose Philadelphia International Records also released music by the O'Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and Lou Rawls.
Me and Mrs Jones was an extramarital confession and a characteristic Gamble and Huff production, setting Paul's thick tenor against a lush and sensuous arrangement. Many fans best remember the moment when Paul's otherwise subtle vocals jump as they reach the title words, stretching out "Me" and "And" into multiple syllables and repeating "Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones, Mrs Jones".
Paul's voice made him "one of the great artists to come out of Philly and to be celebrated worldwide", said Gamble and Huff in a statement yesterday.
"Our proudest moment with Billy was the recording of the salacious smash Me and Mrs Jones. In our view, it is one of the greatest love songs ever recorded," they said.
The song has been covered by artists including Michael Buble and Hall and Oates.
In his youth, Paul performed alongside music legends including Charlie Parker and Nina Simone.
He faced numerous obstacles following his biggest hit. Radio stations resisted his more socially conscious follow-up song, Am I Black Enough for You and the Reverend Jesse Jackson was among those who objected to the explicit Let's Make a Baby.
In 2003, Paul sued Gamble and Huff and other industry officials over unpaid royalties and was awarded $500,000 USD.
Paul is survived by his wife, Blanche Williams, with whom he had two children.
CELEBRITIES PAY TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY SOUL SINGER
Musicians Martha Reeves, Darryl Hall and John Oates have been amongst the famous names to pay tribute to American jazz and soul singer Billy Paul on Twitter, following his death on Sunday local time.
Reeves expressed her love and condolences to his wife, Blanche, with photograph posted on Twitter of her and Paul.
"RIP Billy Paul. Love and condolences to his beloved wife, Blanche," Reeves captioned the photo with.
Hall and Oates posted a link to a video of a cover performance in 2003 of Me and Mrs Jones. The video was accompanied with "RIP Billy Paul".
British television presenters Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson also tweeted tributes.
Morgan posted a photo of him and Good Morning Britain co-presenter Susanna Reid, referencing Paul's biggest hit Me and Mrs Jones.
"'We got a thing goin' on...' RIP Billy Paul. #MeAndMrsMrsJones @GMB @susannareid100," read the caption.
Clarkson posted, "Radio DJs. If you want to play a Billy Paul song today, go for his cover of Your Song. It's wonderful".
Source: Associated Press and BBC News
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