More Information About Jerry "The Iceman" Butler

Website

http://www.bbkingblues.com/bio.php?id=1472

Description

Only Jerry Butler, serving his seventh four-year term as Commissioner of Cook County (Chicago), as well as Commissioner and past President of the Northeast (Illinois) Planning Commission, combines a political career with weekend concerts, performances, TV appearances, and public speaking. An award-winning performer, producer, and composer, and one of the architects of rhythm and blues, "The Iceman" has enjoyed an over 50-year career that began when he and Curtis Mayfield formed the rhythm and blues group The Impressions in Chicago in 1958. The same year, the 18-year old Butler wrote a song titled "For Your Precious Love," which launched the careers of Butler and The Impressions. "For Your Precious Love" became a "landmark recording," according to Rolling Stone Magazine, which declared it "the first of the Soul Music recordings." The single, on Vee-Jay Records, became the first for The Impressions to be certified Gold.

Butler, named "The Iceman" in 1959 by Philadelphia radio personality Georgie Woods for his "cool as ice" delivery and debonair, effortless style, has had numerous million-selling recordings during his career, including For Your Precious Love (1958), He Will Break Your Heart (1960), Moon River (1961), Never Gonna Give You Up (1976), Hey Western Union Man (1968), Brand New Me (1969), Only the Strong Survive (1969), and Ain't Understanding Mellow (1973). In addition to his recording credits, he has hosted and appeared on a number of television shows, including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Ed Sullivan Show, Soul Train, CBS Sunday Morning, The Today Show, and the Late Night with David Letterman. He also published his autobiography, Only the Strong Survive, in 2000, prompting The New York Times to declare: "Only the Strong Survive makes one wish it came with a soundtrack." Booklist also declared the book "a valuable African American cultural resource."

Nominated for three Grammy Awards for singing and composing, Butler is the recipient of numerous awards, including several from ASCAP and BMI for his songwriting and publishing, two Billboard Magazine Awards as a writer and artist, a CLIO Award for writing and producing a commercial for Johnson Products Company, and two Humanitarian Awards. Over the years, he has been an active member in the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. At age 72 "The Iceman" is far from meltdown - along with his political, TV, and new book careers, Butler performs most weekends of the year at supper clubs, concerts, and music festivals around the country, to rave reviews and swoons. He has been married for over 50 years and is the father of 43-year-old twin sons. One of the questions most often asked of Butler is of his further political aspirations. In answer, "The Iceman," one of the top vote-getters in the country, just smiles - cool as ice.