Jerry Butler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Butler
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Butler in 1998
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| Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 3rd district |
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| In office 1994–2018 |
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| Preceded by | constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Bill Lowry |
| Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from Chicago |
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| In office 1986–1994 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1939 Sunflower, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | February 20, 2025 (aged 85) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Annette Butler
(m. 1959; died 2019) |
| Occupation |
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| Awards | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1991) |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as | The Ice Man |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1958–2018 |
| Labels | |
Jerry Butler Jr. (born December 8, 1939 – died February 20, 2025) was a talented American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was also a politician. Jerry was the first lead singer for the R&B group The Impressions. This group was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
After leaving The Impressions in 1960, Jerry Butler became a very successful solo artist. He had over 55 hit songs on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. Some of his most famous songs include "He Will Break Your Heart," "Let It Be Me," and "Only the Strong Survive." In 2015, he was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Besides his music career, Jerry Butler served as a Commissioner for Cook County, Illinois. He held this important public office from 1985 until 2018. As a commissioner, he helped make decisions for the county government. He led the Health and Hospitals Committee and was Vice Chair of the Construction Committee.
Contents
Jerry Butler's Early Life and Music Beginnings
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Growing Up in Chicago
Jerry Butler was born in Sunflower, Mississippi, on December 8, 1939. When he was three years old, his family moved to Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Cabrini–Green housing projects.
The mid-1950s were a very important time for Jerry. He sang in a church choir with Curtis Mayfield. As a teenager, Jerry and Curtis were part of a gospel quartet called Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers.
Forming The Impressions
Curtis Mayfield, who played guitar, became the only musician for a six-member group called The Roosters. This group later changed its name to The Impressions. They were inspired by famous artists like Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers. It seemed like Jerry was meant to be in the music industry.
Jerry's younger brother, Billy Butler, also had a music career. He even played guitar in Jerry's band for a time.
Jerry Butler's Music Career Highlights
First Recordings with The Impressions
Jerry Butler helped write the song "For Your Precious Love." This song is so famous that Rolling Stone magazine ranked it among its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The Impressions, with original members Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Gooden, Fred Cash, and brothers Arthur and Richard Brooks, wanted to record this song.
They tried out for different recording studios. The group eventually signed with Vee-Jay Records. In 1958, they released "For Your Precious Love." It became The Impressions' first big hit and sold enough copies to be called a gold record.
Becoming "The Iceman" Solo Artist
Jerry Butler was given the nickname "Iceman" by a radio DJ in Philadelphia. This happened while he was performing in a theater there. In 1960, he released his solo song "He Will Break Your Heart." This song became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard pop chart.
Jerry also co-wrote the hit song "I've Been Loving You Too Long" with Otis Redding in 1965. Jerry's solo career was full of successful songs. Some of his other big hits include:
- "Find Another Girl"
- "I'm A-Telling You"
- "Only the Strong Survive" (which sold over a million copies)
- "Moon River"
- "Make It Easy on Yourself"
- "Let It Be Me" (with Betty Everett)
- "Brand New Me"
- "Ain't Understanding Mellow" (with Brenda Lee Eager)
- "Hey, Western Union Man"
- "Never Give You Up"
He released two popular albums, The Ice Man Cometh in 1968 and Ice on Ice in 1969. He often worked with the famous songwriting team of Gamble and Huff.
Jerry Butler's Public Service and Later Years
Serving Cook County
Jerry Butler continued to perform music even while serving as a Cook County Board Commissioner. He held this public office from 1985 until he retired in 2018. As a commissioner, he helped make important decisions for Cook County.
He was re-elected in March 2014, winning with more than 80 percent of the votes.
Music and Recognition
Jerry Butler also hosted TV music specials for PBS. These shows included Doo Wop 50 and 51, Rock Rhythm and Doo Wop, and Soul Spectacular: 40 years of R&B. He also led the board of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
In 1991, Jerry Butler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was honored along with the other original members of The Impressions. He released his album Time & Faith in 1992.
Other artists have covered his songs. The Hives covered "Find Another Girl" in 2000. The Black Keys covered "Never Give You Up" in 2010.
Personal Life and Passing
Jerry Butler's wife, Annette, who used to be one of his backup singers, passed away in 2019.
Many music writers and critics believed that Jerry Butler deserved to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a second time as a solo artist. This was because of his very successful career after leaving The Impressions.
Jerry Butler passed away from Parkinson's disease at his home in Chicago on February 20, 2025. He was 85 years old.
Images for kids
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Butler in 1998
See also
In Spanish: Jerry Butler para niños
