‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ singer Billy Paul dead at age 81

Billy Paul, a jazz and soul singer best known for the No. 1 hit ballad and “Philadelphia Soul” classic “Me and Mrs. Jones,” died Sunday.

Paul, whose career spanned more than 60 years, died at his home in Blackwood, N.J., his co-manager, Beverly Gay, told the Associated Press. Paul, 81, had been diagnosed recently with pancreatic cancer, Gay said.

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FOR THE RECORD

A previous version of this post incorrectly stated Billy Paul was 80. He was 81.

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Born Paul Williams, Paul was one of many singers who found success with the writing and producing team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, whose Philadelphia International Records also released music by the O’Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and Lou Rawls.

“Me and Mrs. Jones” was an extramarital confession and a characteristic Gamble and Huff production, setting Paul’s thick tenor against a lush arrangement. (Paul himself was married to the same woman for decades.)

The song was one of the top singles of 1972 and brought Paul a Grammy the following year for best male rhythm and blues performance, with runners-up including Ray Charles and Curtis Mayfield. Paul remained identified with the song for the rest of his life.

Paul’s subsequent songs met with more difficulties. Eventually, Paul sued Gamble and Huff and other industry officials over unpaid royalties and was awarded $500,000 by a Los Angeles jury in 2003.