Jerry Butler: The Ice Man of Soul and R&B
Jerry Butler is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He first found fame as a founding member of The Impressions alongside Curtis Mayfield before launching a prolific solo career that has spanned over six decades.
Early career
Born in 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi, Butler moved to Chicago as a child. He began singing in church, where he formed a gospel group with Curtis Mayfield, a connection that would define his early career.
In 1957, he and Mayfield formed The Impressions, originally called Jerry Butler & the Impressions. Their first single, "For Your Precious Love," released on Vee-Jay Records in 1958, became a national R&B hit and launched both artists.
Breakthrough
Butler's true solo breakthrough came in 1960 with the single "He Will Break Your Heart." Co-written by Curtis Mayfield, the song reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart and number seven on the pop chart, establishing his smooth, baritone style.
Signing with Mercury Records in the mid-1960s, he entered his most successful commercial period. He earned the nickname "The Ice Man" during a dynamic 1968 performance at Philadelphia's Valley Forge Music Fair, a moniker that stuck and became the title of a gold-certified album that same year.
Key tracks
For Your Precious Love — This 1958 ballad with The Impressions was Butler's introduction to the charts and a landmark early soul recording.
He Will Break Your Heart — His first major solo hit in 1960, this song cemented his departure from The Impressions and set his career trajectory.
Only the Strong Survive — A 1969 number-one R&B and pop Top 5 smash, this track became his signature song and a platinum-selling million-seller.
Moody Woman — This 1969 single showcased his sophisticated soul sound and was another major R&B chart success.
Never Gonna Give You Up — A 1968 duet with Betty Everett, this song became a classic and reached number one on the R&B chart.
Throughout the 1970s, Jerry Butler continued to score R&B hits, including the chart-topper "I Wanna Do It to You" in 1976. He also became a respected songwriter and producer, collaborating with artists like Brenda Lee Eager and writing material for others.
His work in the 1980s and beyond included a successful political career as a Cook County Commissioner, though he never stopped recording or performing. Butler's influence is widely recognized, with his 1991 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Impressions.
Fans of Jerry Butler's smooth vocal delivery and classic soul songwriting also enjoy the music of Curtis Mayfield for the shared Chicago soul roots and social consciousness. The polished Philadelphia Sound of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes offers a similar sophisticated R&B approach. For another iconic soul baritone, explore the deep catalog of Solomon Burke. The lush productions behind The Delfonics also resonate with Butler's style.
Jerry Butler's timeless hits remain a staple on classic soul and R&B radio stations. His music is frequently featured on dedicated old-school FM stations and curated online radio streams that celebrate the golden era of vocal groups and smooth soul singers.
The music of Jerry Butler, the Ice Man of Soul, can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his legendary catalog, from early Impressions classics to his solo smashes, through the classic soul and R&B radio stations available on onairium.com.
