Jerry Butler, Singer of ‘Only the Strong Survive,’ Passes Away at 85

Jerry ‘Ice Man’ Butler, Legendary Soul Singer, Dies at 85

Jerry Butler, the iconic soul singer known for his smooth baritone and classic hits like “For Your Precious Love,” “Only the Strong Survive,” and “Make It Easy on Yourself,” has passed away at the age of 85.

A Voice That Defined Soul Music

Butler’s niece, Yolanda Goff, confirmed that he died on Thursday at his home in Chicago after battling Parkinson’s disease. A long-time Chicago resident, Butler not only left his mark in the music industry but also served as a Cook County Board Commissioner while continuing to perform on weekends. He was famously known as Jerry “Ice Man” Butler, a nickname reflecting his cool, effortless singing style.

A Soul Pioneer in Chicago and Philadelphia

As a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and three-time Grammy nominee, Butler played a significant role in shaping the sounds of both Chicago and Philadelphia soul music. He co-founded The Impressions alongside childhood friend Curtis Mayfield, singing lead on their breakout 1958 hit “For Your Precious Love.” The song’s gospel-infused depth turned Butler into a star before he even turned 20.

By the late ‘60s, Butler collaborated with the Philadelphia-based production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, crafting hits like “Only the Strong Survive” and “Hey Western Union Man.” His albums, “Ice on Ice” and “The Ice Man Cometh,” helped lay the foundation for the lush, danceable Sound of Philadelphia.

A Gifted Songwriter

Beyond performing, Butler was also a talented songwriter. He co-wrote:
🎶 “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” – a signature ballad for Otis Redding
🎶 “Only the Strong Survive” – later covered by Elvis Presley
🎶 “He Will Break Your Heart” – inspired by the heartache of forgotten lovers on the road

Reflecting on his career in a 1969 interview with Rolling Stone, Butler humorously shared the inspiration behind “He Will Break Your Heart“:
“You go into a town, meet a girl for one night, but you never stop to think—she already has someone waiting for her at home.”

From Mississippi to Music Stardom

Born to Mississippi sharecroppers in 1939, Butler moved to Chicago at age 3 as part of the Great Migration. His love for music began in church, where he met Curtis Mayfield at the Traveling Souls Spiritualist Church. Their friendship led to the formation of The Impressions, and in 1958, they recorded “For Your Precious Love” for Vee-Jay Records.

However, when the label promoted the song under “Jerry Butler & The Impressions,” tensions arose, leading Butler to pursue a solo career.

“Fame didn’t change me as much as it changed the people around me,” he later reflected in his memoir, “Only the Strong Survive“ (2000).

A Career of Highs and Lows

In 1961, Butler became the first artist to chart with “Moon River,” the Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme song. However, when Andy Williams was chosen to perform it at the Academy Awards, Butler felt snubbed.

By 1967, with musical trends shifting, Butler sought fresh inspiration in Philadelphia. His collaboration with Gamble and Huff was electric—he recalled in Ebony magazine that they wrote “Only the Strong Survive” in less than an hour.

“We lock ourselves in a room, create stories about lovers, compose the music, then write the lyrics to match,” he said.

A Second Act in Politics

As the 1980s approached, Butler’s music career slowed, and he turned to politics. Inspired by the election of Chicago’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington, he ran for the Cook County Board in 1985—and won. He was re-elected multiple times, even after backing a controversial sales tax hike in 2009, and served until his retirement in 2018.

A Legacy of Giving Back

Married for 60 years to Annette Smith (who passed in 2019), Butler was a devoted husband and father to twin sons.

Unlike many musicians of his era who faced financial hardships, Butler worked to protect artists’ rights. As chairman of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, he fought for medical and retirement benefits for musicians.

While he passed on the opportunity to own part of Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records, Butler had no regrets.

“Did I make 40, 50 million dollars? No. Did I keep one or two? Yes,” he told the Chicago Reader in 2011. “It’s not how much you make. It’s how much you keep.”

Rest in Power, “Ice Man”

Jerry Butler’s soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and commitment to helping others leave behind an unmatched legacy. Whether through his timeless music or his years in public service, Butler’s impact will be felt for generations to come.

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