Jerry Butler, co-founder of the baritone singer/songwriter, reportedly died, with impressions known for hits such as “For Your Precious Love” and “Only Strong Survival.” He was 85 years old.
The soul musician, who won two Grammy nods in his lifetime, passed away Thursday at his Chicago home, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, New York Times and the Washington Post. The Post and Sun Times quoted Butler’s family, but the Times received confirmation from his assistant. They reported that he lived with Parkinson’s disease.
Representatives from Cook County, Illinois, including Chicago, lamented the death of a “devoted civil servant” who served on the Cook County Commission for 30 years.
“I am deeply saddened to learn that Jerry’s late “Iceman” Butler, a legendary artist, a dedicated civil servant and a beloved member of the Cook County community,” said Cook County Director. Chief Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement she shares with USA Today. Friday. His contributions to music and public service are immeasurable. As a founding member of Impression, his prominent voice shaped the sounds of R&B and soul, leaving an indelible mark in American music.
“Jerry Butler was more than a musical icon,” the Preckwinkle statement continued. “As a Culinary County Commissioner from 1985 to 2018, he made tireless efforts to expand access to healthcare, improve infrastructure and advocate for policies that strengthen the community.”
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From impression to “Iceman”
The Missouri-born talent was three years old when his parents, whose parents were the Share Croppers, moved to Chicago as part of what is now known as a large corporation, according to the Sun Times and Post.
In the late 1950s he formed an impression with his childhood church friend Curtis Mayfield, who died in 1999.
They originally set out to a music venture in 1957 with the Doo-Wop group known as the Roosters. The following year, he signed with members Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks and Art Brooks with local music label Vee-Jay Records.
Branded as an impression with Jerry Butler, they released their debut singles, “For Your Precious Love” and “Come Back My Love” together. The impressions, powered by Fred Cash, continued to become “the sound of the civil rights movement” following the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Butler took it on his own as a solo artist in 1960. The tension surrounding his name is the best billing in the group marketing.
Butler then cowed with Mayfield, saying “He breaks your heart” in the 1960s. It rose the Billboard chart and won the 7th spot on the Hot 100. I also spent seven weeks at the top spot on the R&B charts. Two songs from his songs in his career – Betty Everett’s duet “Let It Me” and collaborations with songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s “Only The Strong Survive” have been a Billboard top 10 Charted on Hot 100, a total of 38 tracks have been on the list throughout his career.
“Strong Survive Only” became Butler’s best chart hit on billboard-by-billboard, covering it by Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley, Rod Stewart and more.
Along the way, Butler also picked up the nickname “The Iceman,” a descriptor of a modest nature attributed to Philadelphia-based DJ Georgie Woods.
In 1991, Butler reportedly continued to perform during his political career, but was led along with other members of the impressions of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
How Jerry Butler Inspired Bruce Springsteen
Speaking to Asbury Park Press, part of the USA Today Network in 2022, Springsteen revealed that he became a fan of Butler on the recommendation of his manager, and eventually named the album after the hit in the 1960s. I added it.
“I wasn’t very familiar with Jerry Butler until I went looking for material for this record,” Springsteen said of his 2022 album, “The Strong Survive Only.”
“(Manager) John Landau is a huge fan of Jerry Butler and he suggested ‘Hey, Western Union Man’ and I said I don’t know (it). I heard that. He added that the record is called “The Day of the Soul” of “Night Shift,” before being encouraged to use the title of Butler’s hit, and he said.
“I’m thinking of doing another (record), and I’m going to call the next one “Strong Survive only.” John said it had to use it now,” Springsteen said. “So I came back and spent the day cutting songs, and was introduced to more Jerry Butler’s stuff through it, and cut more of his stuff ever since.”