jimmy butler

Biography

Jerry Butler Jr., known as the 'Iceman,' was born on December 8, 1939, in Sunflower, Mississippi, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He began his musical journey singing in church choirs and a gospel quartet called the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers alongside Curtis Mayfield as a teenager. Inspired by Sam Cooke, the Soul Stirrers, the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, and the Pilgrim Travelers, Butler and Mayfield formed the Roosters, which evolved into the Impressions, signing with Vee-Jay Records and releasing the gold hit 'For Your Precious Love' in 1958.[1]

After leaving the Impressions in 1960, Butler launched a prolific solo career, achieving over 55 Billboard Pop and R&B chart hits, including 'He Will Break Your Heart' (co-written with Mayfield), 'Let It Be Me,' and the million-selling 'Only the Strong Survive.' His soulful style blended smooth ballads and uptempo tracks, often collaborating with Mayfield on early hits and later with the Philadelphia songwriting team Gamble and Huff on albums like The Ice Man Cometh (1968) and Ice on Ice (1969). He also co-wrote Otis Redding's 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' in 1965 and produced Motown albums in the 1970s.[1]

Beyond music, Butler served as a Cook County Commissioner in Illinois from 1985 to 2018, chairing health committees, and hosted PBS specials like Doo Wop 50. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Impressions in 1991 and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015, he released Time & Faith in 1992. Butler died on February 20, 2025, at age 85 from Parkinson's disease complications in Chicago.[1]

Fun Facts

• Received the nickname 'Iceman' from Philadelphia DJ Georgie Woods during a theater performance due to his cool stage presence.[1]
• Played a prison guard in the 1972 cult film The Thing with Two Heads.[1]
• Hosted PBS specials like Doo Wop 50 and served as chairman of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.[1]
• His 1969 single 'Moody Woman' became a Northern Soul favorite, ranking at #369 in the Northern Soul Top 500.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Curtis Mayfield - Childhood friend, choir mate, and key collaborator who co-wrote early hits ('He Will Break Your Heart,' 'Find Another Girl,' 'I'm A-Telling You') [1950s-1960s]
• Sam Cooke - Major stylistic inspiration from gospel and soul roots (Influenced Impressions' early sound) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Curtis Mayfield - Co-writer, harmony vocals, and Impressions bandmate (Impressions hits like 'For Your Precious Love'; solo tracks) [1957-1960s]
• Gamble and Huff - Songwriting and production team for key albums (The Ice Man Cometh, Ice on Ice) [1960s]
• Otis Redding - Co-writer on hit single ('I've Been Loving You Too Long') [1965]
• Billy Butler - Younger brother who played guitar in Jerry's band (Live performances and recordings) [1960s-2015]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Trim Your Tree (Savoy Christmas Blues)
2. Trim Your Tree (Christmas Blues: Savoy Jazz Christmas Album)
3. Brog Left the Bog (Brog Left the Bog)
4. Trim Your Tree (Mr. Santa's Boogie (Rhythm & Blues Christmas 1948 - 1957))
5. Trim Your Tree (Christmas in Heaven Blues (Episode 2))
6. Trim Your Tree (Doo Wop Christmas)
7. Trim Your Tree (Bluesy Christmas)
8. Trim Your Tree (Special Days (Santas Secret))
9. Trim Your Tree (Silver Bells)
10. Trim Your Tree (Blue Christmas)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia