R&B Icon Billy Paul Dies At 81

Billy Paul, 81, the Grammy winning R&B artist, died on Sunday in his Blackwood, N.J., home. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, according to the NME magazine.

“We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Blanche and family for their loss, as they and the world grieve the loss of another musical icon that helped pioneered today’s R&B music. Billy will be truly missed,” a statement released on his official website said.

He was best known for his 1972 hit “Me and Mrs. Jones,” which won a Grammy and topped the U.S. charts. It is revered worldwide and possesses beautiful lyrics, such as “We’ve got a thing going on, we both know that it’s wrong, but it’s much too strong to let it go now.” It is about an extra-marital affair.

“We are very saddened to learn of the sudden death of our good friend and Philadelphia International Records recording artist Billy Paul. From the time we saw Billy performing live, and then signing him to our PIR/TSOP label, we immediately realized that we had discovered and launched one the most unique voices in the music industry,” wrote Gamble and Huff, a record label started by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who are songwriting and producing partners.

“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…he will forever have a special place in music history,” the statement continued.