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Jerry Butler: A Chronicle of Soul, Chart Success, and Civic Duty

Exploring the multifaceted career of the 'Iceman' of R&B and his impact on music and community.

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Biography

Early Life and Influences

Born in Sunflower, Mississippi, on December 8, 1939, Jerry Butler Jr. moved to Chicago, Illinois, as a child, growing up in the Cabrini-Green housing projects. His musical journey began in a church choir alongside Curtis Mayfield. Inspired by gospel and soul luminaries like Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, Butler's path into the music industry was deeply rooted in his early experiences.

Musical Beginnings

As a teenager, Butler sang in gospel quartets and, with Curtis Mayfield, formed the group that would evolve into The Impressions. In 1958, The Impressions signed with Vee-Jay Records, releasing the hit single "For Your Precious Love," which became their first gold record and a significant milestone in R&B history.

The "Iceman" Solo Career

Leaving The Impressions in 1960, Butler launched a highly successful solo career. Dubbed "The Iceman" by a Philadelphia DJ, he achieved over 55 charting hits on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. His solo work included enduring classics such as "He Will Break Your Heart," "Only the Strong Survive," and "Moon River." He also collaborated with prominent producers like Gamble and Huff, shaping the sound of soul music.

Civic Duty and Public Service

Beyond his musical achievements, Butler dedicated a significant portion of his life to public service. From 1985 to 2018, he served as a Cook County Commissioner for Illinois, chairing the Health and Hospitals Committee and vice-chairing the Construction Committee. Despite facing political challenges, he was consistently re-elected, demonstrating strong community support.

Later Years and Legacy

Butler continued to perform and host PBS music specials throughout his political career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Impressions in 1991 and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015. His wife, Annette, passed away in 2019. Jerry Butler died on February 20, 2025, at the age of 85, leaving behind a profound legacy in both music and public service.

Musical Impact

Chart Dominance

Butler's solo career was marked by consistent chart success. His 1960 single "He Will Break Your Heart" reached number 7 on the Billboard pop chart and number 1 on the R&B chart. Other notable hits include the million-selling "Only the Strong Survive," "Moon River," and "Make It Easy on Yourself." His collaborations with Betty Everett on "Let It Be Me" and "Ain't Understanding Mellow" with Brenda Lee Eager also achieved significant chart presence.

Songwriting and Production

Beyond his vocal performances, Butler was a talented songwriter and producer. He co-wrote Otis Redding's hit "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and contributed to many of his own chart successes. His work with Gamble and Huff in Philadelphia further cemented his status as a key figure in the development of soul music.

Hall of Fame Recognition

Butler's contributions to music have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a member of The Impressions. His solo career, characterized by its enduring hits and influence on subsequent generations of artists, has led many critics to advocate for a second induction recognizing his individual achievements.

Civic Leadership

Cook County Commissioner

From 1985 to 2018, Jerry Butler served as a Cook County Commissioner, representing the 3rd district. In this capacity, he was an integral part of the 17-member county government board, influencing policy and resource allocation for a major metropolitan area.

Key Initiatives and Re-election

During his tenure, Butler notably voted to support a significant sales tax increase in Cook County. Despite facing electoral challenges, including opposition from the Chicago Tribune regarding this vote, he was consistently re-elected, securing over 80 percent of the vote in 2014, underscoring his sustained connection with his constituents.

Accolades

Musical Honors

Butler's immense contributions to music have been recognized through prestigious awards and inductions:

  • Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1991) as a member of The Impressions.
  • Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2015).
  • Received the NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award (1993), shared with Carmen McRae.

Media Recognition

Beyond formal inductions, Butler's influence extended to television. He served as host for several PBS TV music specials, including "Doo Wop 50," "Rock Rhythm and Doo Wop," and "Soul Spectacular: 40 Years of R&B," further solidifying his role as a cultural ambassador for soul and R&B music.

Discography Highlights

Chart Performance Overview

Jerry Butler's career produced a remarkable discography, with numerous singles charting on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. The table below provides a detailed look at his single releases and their chart positions.

This table details Jerry Butler's singles, their chart performance on the US Billboard Hot 100, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Canadian charts.

Year Single (A-side, B-side) Chart positions Album
US US R&B US AC CAN RPM
1958 "For Your Precious Love" / "Sweet Was the Wine" (with The Impressions) 11 3 18 Jerry Butler, esq.
1958 "Come Back My Love" / "Love Me" (with The Impressions) 29 Aware of Love
1959 "Lost" / "One By One" 17 Aware of Love
1959 "I Was Wrong" / "Couldn't Go to Sleep" Aware of Love
1960 "A Lonely Soldier" / "I Found a Love" 25 He Will Break Your Heart
1960 "He Will Break Your Heart" / "Thanks to You" 7 1 9 He Will Break Your Heart
1960 "Silent Night" / "O Holy Night" Non-album tracks
1961 "Find Another Girl" / "When Trouble Calls" 27 10 13 Aware of Love
1961 "I'm a Telling You" / "I See a Fool" 25 8 Aware of Love
1961 "Moon River" 11 14 3 14 Need to Belong
1961 "Aware of Love" 105 Aware of Love
1962 "Isle of Sirens" / "Chi Town" Jerry Butler, esq.
1962 "Make It Easy on Yourself" / "It's Too Late" 20 18 Non-album track
1962 "You Can Run (But You Can't Hide)" / "I'm the One" 63 23 Need to Belong
1962 "Theme from Taras Bulba (The Wishing Star)" / "You Go Right Through Me" 100 Jerry Butler, esq.
1963 "Whatever You Want" / "You Won't Be Sorry" 68 Need to Belong
1963 "I Almost Lost My Mind" / "Strawberries" Non-album track
1963 "Where's the Girl" / "How Beautifully You Lie" Need to Belong
1963 "A Woman With Soul" / "Just a Little Bit" Non-album track
1963 "Need to Belong" / "Give Me Your Love" 31 * Need to Belong
1964 "Giving Up on Love" / "I've Been Trying" 56 * Non-album tracks
1964 "I Stand Accused" 61 * More of the Best of Jerry Butler
1964 "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" 95 * More of the Best of Jerry Butler
1964 "Let It Be Me" / "Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby" (with Betty Everett) 5 * 28 Delicious Together
1964 "Smile" / "Love Is Strange" (with Betty Everett) 108 * More of the Best of Jerry Butler
1965 "Good Times" / "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" 64 33 Non-album tracks
1965 "Since I Don't Have You" / "Just Be True" (with Betty Everett) Delicious Together
1965 "I Can't Stand to See You Cry" / "Nobody Needs Your Love (More Than I Do)" 122 Non-album tracks
1965 "Just for You" / "Believe in Me" 33 The Impressions With Jerry Butler
1966 "For Your Precious Love" (re-recording) / "Give It Up" 25 Love Me
1966 "Love (Oh, How Sweet It Is)" / "Loneliness" 103 34 The Best of Jerry Butler (Mercury)
1966 "You Make Me Feel Like Someone" / "For What You Made of Me" Non-album tracks
1966 "I Dig You Baby" / "Some Kinda Magic" 60 8 Soul Artistry
1967 "You Walked Into My Life" / "Why Did I Lose You" Soul Artistry
1967 "Mr. Dream Merchant" / "Cause I Love You So" 38 23 45 Mr. Dream Merchant
1967 "You Don't Know What You Got Until You Lose It" / "The Way I Love You (Nobody Ever Loved Anybody)" 62 48 Mr. Dream Merchant
1968 "Never Give You Up" / "Beside You" 20 7 16 The Ice Man Cometh
1968 "Hey, Western Union Man" / "Just Can't Forget About You" 16 1 15 The Ice Man Cometh
1968 "Are You Happy" / "(Strange) I Still Love You" 39 9 19 The Ice Man Cometh
1969 "Only the Strong Survive" / "Just Because I Really Love You" 4 1 4 The Ice Man Cometh
1969 "Moody Woman" / "Go Away, Find Yourself" 24 3 17 The Ice Man Cometh
1969 "What's the Use of Breaking Up" / "A Brand New Me" 20 4 25 Ice On Ice
1969 "Don't Let Love Hang You Up" / "Walking Around in Teardrops" 44 12 44 Ice On Ice
1970 "Got to See If I Can Get Mommy (To Come Back Home)" / "I Forgot to Remember" 62 21 You & Me
1970 "I Could Write a Book" / "Since I Lost You Lady" 46 15 48 Ice on Ice
1970 "Where Are You Going" / "You Can Fly" 95 42 "Joe" -- Original Soundtrack
1970 "Special Memory" / "How Does It Feel" 109 36 Assorted Sounds with the Aid of Assorted Friends and Relatives
1971 "You Just Can't Win (By Making the Same Mistakes)" / "Sho Is Grooving" (Gene & Jerry) 94 32 Gene & Jerry -- One & One
1971 "Ten and Two (Take This Woman Off the Corner)" / "Everybody Is Waiting" (Gene & Jerry) 126 44 Gene & Jerry -- One & One
1971 "If It's Real What I Feel" / "Why Are You Leaving Me" 69 8 Assorted Sounds with the Aid of Assorted Friends and Relatives
1971 "Ain't Understanding Mellow" / "Windy City Soul" (with Brenda Lee Eager) 21 3 The Sagittarius Movement
1971 "How Did We Lose It Baby" / "Do You Finally Need a Friend" 85 33 Assorted Sounds with the Aid of Assorted Friends and Relatives
1971 "Walk Easy My Son" / "Let Me Be" 93 33 The Sagittarius Movement
1972 "I Only Have Eyes for You" / "A Prayer" 85 20 The Spice Of Life
1972 "Close to You" / "You Can't Always Tell" (with Brenda Lee Eager) 91 6 The Spice Of Life
1972 "One Night Affair" / "Life's Unfortunate Sons" 52 6 You & Me
1973 "Can't Understand It" / "How Long Will It Last" (with Brenda Lee Eager) 26 The Love We Have, The Love We Had
1973 "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" / "Were We Lovers, Were We Friends" (with Brenda Lee Eager) 64 The Love We Have, The Love We Had
1973 "Power of Love" / "What Do You Do on a Sunday Afternoon" 15 Power of Love
1974 "That's How Heartaches Are Made" / "Too Many Danger Signs" 58 Power of Love
1974 "Take The Time to Tell Her" / "High Stepper" 46 Sweet Sixteen
1974 "Playing On You" / "You and Me Against the World" 33 Sweet Sixteen
1976 "The Devil in Mrs. Jones" / "I Don't Wanna Be Reminded" 55 Love's on the Menu
1977 "I Wanna Do It To You" / "I Don't Wanna Be Reminded" 51 7 Suite for the Single Girl
1977 "Chalk It Up" / "I Don't Want Nobody to Know" 28 Suite for the Single Girl
1977 "It's a Lifetime Thing" / "Kiss Me Now" (with Thelma Houston) 55 Thelma & Jerry
1978 "(I'm Just Thinking About) Cooling Out" / "Are You Lonely Tonight" 14 Nothing Says I Love You Like I Love You
1979 "Nothing Says I Love You Like I Love You" / "I'm Glad to Be Back" 86 Nothing Says I Love You Like I Love You
1979 "Let's Make Love" / "Dream World" Nothing Says I Love You Like I Love You
1980 "The Best Love I Ever Had" / "Would You Mind" 49 The Best Love
1980 "Don't Be an Island" / "The Best Love I Ever Had" (Slow version) (with Debra Henry) 75 The Best Love
1982 "No Love Without Changes" / "All the Way" 83 Ice 'N Hot
1983 "In My Life" / "What's At the End of a Rainbow" (with Patti Austin) 92 Non-album track
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
"*" denotes that the R&B chart did not publish during the chart runs of these singles.

Further Exploration

Related Topics

To deepen your understanding of Jerry Butler's context and influence, consider exploring these related areas:

  • List of soul musicians
  • R&B number-one hits

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Jerry Butler Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

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