Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Everything Oldies......Oldies news first!
- Could the criminal record of a rock legend finally be wiped clean?
- A legendary record label loses another supergroup
- A Rolling Stones tour in 2011.....will they or won't they?
- Among those claimed in the great Democratic midterm massacre of 2010......the lead singer of a 70's band who had a string of hits
- Who's being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame later this month?
Where In The World Is.......Billy Paul?
Billy Paul was one of the biggest stars emerging from the "Philadelphia soul" sound of the 70's. Hailing from the City of Brotherly Love, he was one of the most diverse vocalists to record for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records. His run on the R&B charts was a long one, but in the pop music world, he will be forever known for one sultry smash.
Born in North Philadelphia, Paul began performing at the age of 12 on local radio shows. His college career spanned across several higher learning institutions in the Philadelphia area. Whether it was Temple University, West Philadelphia Music School, or the Granoff School of Music, Paul began to make a name for himself on those campuses and in the surrounding nightclub districts. He performed in concert alongside some of the giants of jazz and R&B, including Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, and Roberta Flack. His first taste of recording was with a trio he formed for Jubilee Records cut before he entered the Armed Forces. Following his discharge, he briefly became one of Harold Melvin's Bluenotes. His first two albums were recorded for Gamble & Huff-associated labels. They produced R&B hits, but his third album spawned a pop smash.
"360 Degrees of Billy Paul"'s first single, "Me and Mrs. Jones", was an unqualified hit across several charts and several countries in spite of covering the rather controversial topic of marital infidelity. It spent the last 3 weeks of 1972 at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a Top 20 hit in the UK, and has been covered by dozens of artists and appeared in countless movies and TV commercials since. It sold 2 million copies and won a Grammy for Billy Paul. Paul's next album, "Going East", was also a critical and commercial hit, although it did not generate any hit singles.
He continued to record for Neptune Records through the mid-1980's, but he never again approached the pop charts. He announced his "retirement" on a London concert stage in 1989, but he re-emerged a few years later. He continues to perform live and record new music. He is also the subject of an upcoming documentary film to be released in theaters, entitled Am I Black Enough For You? Find out more at his official website
***DISCLAIMER*** The staff and management of Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2 is not liable for any population explosion that may occur as a result of viewing the following clip...........
Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day
Which former Saturday Night Live cast member was one of the members of the "choir" who sang USA For Africa's "We Are The World" in 1985?
Check back @ Everything Oldies tomorrow for the answer, and leave a comment here with your best guess!
Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day
What day of the week is the only one not mentioned in the Beatles' hit "Lady Madonna"?
Answer: Saturday
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