Billy Paul, singer famous for ‘Me and Mrs. Jones,’ dead at 81

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Billy Paul won a Grammy for the 1972 single “Me and Mrs. Jones.”

The American soul singer Billy Paul has died at the age of 81.

He was best known for his 1972 hit Me and Mrs Jones, which won a Grammy award and reached number one in the US.

A statement on his website said he died on Sunday of a “serious medical condition”. The NME music magazine has reported that this was pancreatic cancer.

Mr Paul, who was born as Paul Williams in Philadelphia, helped shape the course of modern R&B music.

In his youth, he performed alongside soul legends including Charlie Parker and Nina Simone.

His biggest hit Me and Mrs Jones, about an extra-marital affair, has been covered by artists including Michael Buble and Hall & Oates.

In 2003, Mr Paul won a $500,000 (then £250,534) lawsuit for royalties owed for it from 1994 to 2002 by Assorted Music.

The company said it was an accounting issue and not a case of trying to cheat anyone out of money.

Mr Paul is survived by his wife, Blanche Williams.

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