Modern Day Solomon

Remembering Jerry "Ice Man" Butler 1939-2025

Soul singer and politician Jerry Butler has died at 85. From 1958 to 1960 he was a part of The Impressions, the legendary soul group.  I mainly knew The Impressions because of founding member Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999) who was in the group before his successful solo career. The Impressions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Butler's passing is only a few years after his bandmate Sam Gooden died in 2022.

After he left The Impressions, he had quite a solo career. His own songs were covered by several other artists too. His 1969 song "Only the Strong Survive" was covered by Bruce Springsteen on his 2022 covers album of the same name (read my review here).

Sam Cooke  //  You Send Me