Jerry Butler
Jerry Butler | |
|---|---|
Butler in 1998 | |
| Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 3rd district | |
| In office 1994–2018 | |
| Preceded by | constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Bill Lowry |
| Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from Chicago | |
| In office 1986–1994 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1939 Sunflower, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | February 20, 2025 (aged 85) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Annette Butler
(m. 1959; died 2019) |
| Occupation |
|
| Awards | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1991) |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as | The Ice Man |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1958–2018 |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | The Impressions |
Jerry Butler Jr. (December 8, 1939 – February 20, 2025) was an American soul singer-songwriter, producer, musician, and politician. He was the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group the Impressions, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. After leaving the group in 1960, Butler achieved over 55 Billboard Pop and R&B Chart hits as a solo artist including "He Will Break Your Heart," "Let It Be Me," and "Only the Strong Survive." He was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015.
Butler served as a Commissioner for Cook County, Illinois, from 1985 to 2018. As a member of the 17-member county government board, he chaired the Health and Hospitals Committee and served as Vice Chair of the Construction Committee.