Dahday’s Five Favorite Billy Paul Live Clips

One of Philadelphia’s legendary soul crooners, Billy Paul, died on April 24 after a battle with cancer. He was 81 years old.

A native of North Philly, Paul was singing in Philly nightclubs with Charlie Parker by the time he was 16 years old. After a stint in the army he signed with the legendary team of Philly’s Kenny Gamble and and Camden, N.J.’s Leon Huff, first with the Neptune label then with the famous with Philadelphia International Records.

By 1973, of course, Paul had his GRAMMY Award-winning success on Philly International with this song that he will forever known for, “Me and Mrs. Jones:”

He did have hits throughout the 1970s, including this song here performed on Soul Train, “Let ‘Em In:”

Off the heels of his 1970s success, Paul toured the world for decades. Here is Paul in Brazil singing “(I Can’t Live) Without You:”

Here is Paul singing an flamenco version of his biggest hit in France:

Indeed, he traveled the world, but the man born Paul Williams was a Philly guy until the end. Here is Paul performing at the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival several years back:

R.I.P. Billy Paul.

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