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Jerry Butler, Impressions Singer and Chicago Politician, Dies at 85 (Variety)
By Chris Morris
Chicago soul giant Jerry Butler, who succeeded early hits as lead singer of the keystone R&B group Impressions and a notable solo career with years as a Windy City politician, has died, according to the Chicago Sun TImes. No cause of death was announced, although he had suffered from Parkinson’s disease; he was 85.
Alongside singer-guitarist Curtis Mayfield, with whom he had sung in the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers, 19-year-old Butler broke onto the charts in 1958 with the doo-wop-inflected ballad “For Your Precious Love,” by the act initially billed as Jerry Butler and the Impressions. Rolling Stone critic Joe McEwen later wrote, “The song can almost be considered the first soul record.”
Following one more top-30 single with the group, Butler broke away on his own. His first solo hit, “He Will Break Your Heart,” co-written with Mayfield (with whom he continued to work following his split with the group) and Vee-Jay Records exec Calvin Carter, spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the national R&B charts and reached No. 7 on the U.S. pop charts in 1960.
Boasting a strong baritone that reached into the upper register to powerful effect, the suave, nattily attired vocalist was dubbed “the Iceman” in 1961 by WDAS Philadelphia DJ George Woods when he retained his cool and kept singing after the PA system failed at a local concert.
Chicago soul giant Jerry Butler, who succeeded early hits as lead singer of the keystone R&B group Impressions and a notable solo career with years as a Windy City politician, has died, according to the Chicago Sun TImes. No cause of death was announced, although he had suffered from Parkinson’s disease; he was 85.
Alongside singer-guitarist Curtis Mayfield, with whom he had sung in the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers, 19-year-old Butler broke onto the charts in 1958 with the doo-wop-inflected ballad “For Your Precious Love,” by the act initially billed as Jerry Butler and the Impressions. Rolling Stone critic Joe McEwen later wrote, “The song can almost be considered the first soul record.”
Following one more top-30 single with the group, Butler broke away on his own. His first solo hit, “He Will Break Your Heart,” co-written with Mayfield (with whom he continued to work following his split with the group) and Vee-Jay Records exec Calvin Carter, spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the national R&B charts and reached No. 7 on the U.S. pop charts in 1960.
Boasting a strong baritone that reached into the upper register to powerful effect, the suave, nattily attired vocalist was dubbed “the Iceman” in 1961 by WDAS Philadelphia DJ George Woods when he retained his cool and kept singing after the PA system failed at a local concert.
Read more: https://variety.com/2025/music/news/jerry-butler-impressions-singer-dead-chicago-politician-1236315232/
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