Legendary Soul Singer Billy Paul Dead At 81

This year continues to be a terrible one for legendary names in the music industry. After the world’s last iconic pop star Prince died earlier this week, another, albeit lesser known legend, has left the building.

Famed soul singer Billy Paul has died at the age of 81, according to sources close to his family. According to reports, the singer died on Sunday at his home in New Jersey.

Paul was battling cancer, and had been seen at Temple University in Philadelphia last week. However, he was back at his home in New Jersey at the time of his death, according to his manager Beverly Gay.

The celebrity soul star was best known for his smash hit “Me and Mrs. Jones,” which held the number one spot on the charts for three full weeks back in 1972. He also won a Grammy for the song.

Even though he never had another hit that big, he continued making music and controversy. In 1975, his song “Let’s Make a Baby” caused a stir and people like Reverend Jesse Jackson called for radio stations to stop playing the racy, very sexual track.