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{{Short description|American singer and songwriter (1945–2015)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
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| death_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| death_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| occupation = [[Singing|Singer]], [[songwriter]], [[guitarist]]
| occupation = [[Singing|Singer]], [[songwriter]], [[guitarist]]
| years_active = 1960s and 1970s
| years_active = 1963–1977
}}
}}


'''Billy Butler''' (born '''William E. Butler'''; June 7, 1945 – March 31, 2015) was an American [[soul music|soul]] singer and [[songwriter]] active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was born in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-butler-mn0001060509/biography|title=Billy Butler|author=Unterberger, Richie|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=May 12, 2010}}</ref> His elder brother, [[Jerry Butler|Jerry]], was also a singer and songwriter for whose band Billy played the guitar.
'''Billy Butler''' (born '''William E. Butler'''; June 7, 1945 – March 31, 2015) was an American [[soul music|soul]] singer and [[songwriter]] active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was born in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-butler-mn0001060509/biography|title=Billy Butler|author=Unterberger, Richie|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=May 12, 2010}}</ref> His elder brother, [[Jerry Butler|Jerry]], was also a singer and songwriter for whose band Billy played the guitar.


==Career==
==Career==
Billy Butler formed the vocal group the '''Enchanters''' while at high school. He first recorded for [[Okeh Records]] in 1963, and was produced initially by [[Curtis Mayfield]]<ref name="whitburnr&b">{{cite book|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|authorlink=Joel Whitburn|year=2004|publisher=Record Research|page=59}}</ref> and later by [[Carl Davis (record producer)|Carl Davis]].
Billy Butler formed the vocal group the '''Enchanters''' while at high school. He first recorded for [[Okeh Records]] in 1963, and was produced initially by [[Curtis Mayfield]]<ref name="whitburnr&b">{{cite book|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|authorlink=Joel Whitburn|year=2004|publisher=Record Research|page=59}}</ref> and later by [[Carl Davis (record producer)|Carl Davis]].


On early recordings he was backed by the '''Chanters''', a renamed version of the Enchanters; other members were Errol Batts and Jesse Tillman.<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="whitburnr&b"/> His first and biggest [[hit record|hit]] was 1965's "I Can't Work No Longer", which reached #6 on the [[United States|U.S.]] ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B Singles]] [[record chart|chart]] and #60 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-butler-mn0001060509/awards|title=Billy Butler &#124; Awards|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|date=1945-06-07|accessdate=2015-04-03}}</ref> The group disbanded in 1966, and after a minor solo hit with "The Right Track" he left Okeh.<ref name="whitburnr&b"/> "The Right Track" is placed at number 11 in the Northern Soul Top 500<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/northern_soul_top_500.htm|title=Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...Northern Soul 500|publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk|accessdate=2015-04-03}}</ref>
On early recordings he was backed by the '''Chanters''', a renamed version of the Enchanters; other members were Errol Batts and Jesse Tillman.<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="whitburnr&b"/> His first and biggest [[hit record|hit]] was 1965's "I Can't Work No Longer", which reached #6 on the [[United States|U.S.]] ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B Singles]] [[record chart|chart]] and #60 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="VF">{{cite web|title=Billy Butler Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography|url=https://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=Billy+Butler|website=Music VF|access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> The group disbanded in 1966, and after a minor solo hit with "The Right Track" he left Okeh.<ref name="whitburnr&b"/> "The Right Track" is placed at number 11 in the Northern Soul Top 500<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/northern_soul_top_500.htm|title=Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...Northern Soul 500|publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk|accessdate=2015-04-03}}</ref>


He later formed a new group, Infinity, with Batts, Larry Wade and Phyllis Knox. They had three minor R&B hits: "Get on the Case" (#41 R&B, Fountain Records, 1969), "I Don't Want to Lose You" (Memphis Records, #38 R&B, 1971), and "Hung Up on You" (Pride Records, #48 R&B, 1973).<ref name="whitburnr&b"/> He also wrote songs for [[Jerry Butler (singer)|his brother]], as well as for such musicians as [[Major Lance]] and [[Gene Chandler]].<ref name="AMG"/>
He later formed a new group, Infinity, with Batts, Larry Wade and Phyllis Knox. They had three minor R&B hits: "Get on the Case" (#41 R&B, Fountain Records, 1969), "I Don't Want to Lose You" (Memphis Records, #37 R&B, 1971), and "Hung Up on You" (Pride Records, #48 R&B, 1973).<ref name="whitburnr&b"/><ref name="VF2"/> He also wrote songs for [[Jerry Butler (singer)|his brother]], as well as for such musicians as [[Major Lance]] and [[Gene Chandler]].<ref name="AMG"/>


Billy Butler died in 2015, aged 69, in his native Chicago.<ref name="soultracks1">{{cite web|url=http://www.soultracks.com/story-billy-butler-dies |title=Soul singer Billy Butler dies at age 69|publisher=SoulTracks|date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/3317-billy-butler-dies.html|title=Billy Butler Dies|publisher=Soulandjazzandfunk.com|date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 2, 2015 |archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027131138/http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/3317-billy-butler-dies.html|url-status=dead }}</ref>
Billy Butler died in 2015, aged 69, in his native Chicago.<ref name="SoulTracks">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.soultracks.com/story-billy-butler-dies |title=Soul singer Billy Butler dies at age 69|magazine=[[SoulTracks]]|date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/3317-billy-butler-dies.html|title=Billy Butler Dies|publisher=Soulandjazzandfunk.com|date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 2, 2015|archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027131138/http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/3317-billy-butler-dies.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
* ''Right Track'' (1966)
* ''Right Track'' (1966)
* ''Hung Up on You'' (1973) <small>(with Infinity)</small>
* ''Hung Up on You'' (1973, with Infinity)
* ''Sugar Candy Lady'' (1977)
* ''Sugar Candy Lady'' (1977)


===Singles===
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
*"Found True Love" b/w "Lady Love" (1963)
|-
*"Gotta Get Away" b/w "I'm Just a Man" (1964)
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
*"Can't Live Without Her" b/w "My Heart Is Hurting" (1964)
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Single
*"Nevertheless" b/w "My Sweet Woman" (1964)
! scope="col" colspan="2"|Peak chart positions
*"I Can't Work No Longer" b/w "Tomorrow Is Another Day" (1965)
|-
*"(You Made Me Think) You Ain't Ready"/ "I've Got a Feeling You're Gonna Be Sorry" (1965)
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]]</small><br><ref name="VF"/><ref name="VF2">{{cite web|title=Infinity [soul group] Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography|url=https://www.musicvf.com/Infinity+%5Bsoul+group%5D.art|website=Music VF|access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref>
*"The Right Track" / "Boston Monkey" (1966)
! style="width:45px;"|<small>[[US Billboard Hot 100|US Pop]]</small><br><ref name="VF"/><ref name="VF2"/>
*"Help Yourself" / "Sweet Darling" (1966)
|-
*"Come Over to My Side" / "Love Grows Bitter" (1967)
| rowspan="1"| 1963
*"I'll Bet You" /" Careless Heart" (1967)
*"Burning Touch of Love" / "Thank You Baby" (1968)
| "Found True Love" / "Lady Love"
| align=center | ―
*"Get on the Case" (1969)
| align=center | 134
*"Soulation" (1970)
|-
*"Free Yourself" (1971)
| rowspan="3"| 1964
*"I Don't Want to Lose You" (1971)
| "Gotta Get Away" / "I'm Just a Man"
*"Dip, Dip, I've Got My Hands Full" (1972)
| align=center | 38
*"Hung Up on You" (1973)
| align=center | 101
|-
| "Can't Live Without Her" / "My Heart Is Hurting"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 130
|-
| "Nevertheless" / "My Sweet Woman"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 102
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1965
| "I Can't Work No Longer" / "Tomorrow Is Another Day"
| align=center | 6
| align=center | 60
|-
| "(You Made Me Think) You Ain't Ready" / "I've Got a Feeling You're Gonna Be Sorry"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 103
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1966
| "The Right Track" / "Boston Monkey"
| align=center | 24
| align=center | —
|-
| "Help Yourself" / "Sweet Darling"
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1967
| "Come Over to My Side" / "Love Grows Bitter"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "I'll Bet You" /" Careless Heart"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1968
| "Burning Touch of Love" / "Thank You Baby"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1969
| "Get on the Case"
| align=center | 41
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1970
| "Soulation"
| align=center | —
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1971
| "Free Yourself"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "I Don't Want to Lose You"
| align=center | 37
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1972
| "Dip, Dip, I've Got My Hands Full"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1972
| "Hung Up on You"
| align=center | 48
| align=center | ―
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
|}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:08, 29 October 2023

Billy Butler
Birth nameWilliam E. Butler
Born(1945-06-07)June 7, 1945
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 31, 2015(2015-03-31) (aged 69)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Years active1963–1977

Billy Butler (born William E. Butler; June 7, 1945 – March 31, 2015) was an American soul singer and songwriter active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was born in Chicago, Illinois.[1] His elder brother, Jerry, was also a singer and songwriter for whose band Billy played the guitar.

Career

[edit]

Billy Butler formed the vocal group the Enchanters while at high school. He first recorded for Okeh Records in 1963, and was produced initially by Curtis Mayfield[2] and later by Carl Davis.

On early recordings he was backed by the Chanters, a renamed version of the Enchanters; other members were Errol Batts and Jesse Tillman.[1][2] His first and biggest hit was 1965's "I Can't Work No Longer", which reached #6 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and #60 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] The group disbanded in 1966, and after a minor solo hit with "The Right Track" he left Okeh.[2] "The Right Track" is placed at number 11 in the Northern Soul Top 500[4]

He later formed a new group, Infinity, with Batts, Larry Wade and Phyllis Knox. They had three minor R&B hits: "Get on the Case" (#41 R&B, Fountain Records, 1969), "I Don't Want to Lose You" (Memphis Records, #37 R&B, 1971), and "Hung Up on You" (Pride Records, #48 R&B, 1973).[2][5] He also wrote songs for his brother, as well as for such musicians as Major Lance and Gene Chandler.[1]

Billy Butler died in 2015, aged 69, in his native Chicago.[6][7]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
  • Right Track (1966)
  • Hung Up on You (1973, with Infinity)
  • Sugar Candy Lady (1977)

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Peak chart positions
US R&B
[3][5] 		US Pop
[3][5]
1963 "Found True Love" / "Lady Love" ― 134
1964 "Gotta Get Away" / "I'm Just a Man" 38 101
"Can't Live Without Her" / "My Heart Is Hurting" ― 130
"Nevertheless" / "My Sweet Woman" ― 102
1965 "I Can't Work No Longer" / "Tomorrow Is Another Day" 6 60
"(You Made Me Think) You Ain't Ready" / "I've Got a Feeling You're Gonna Be Sorry" ― 103
1966 "The Right Track" / "Boston Monkey" 24 —
"Help Yourself" / "Sweet Darling" — —
1967 "Come Over to My Side" / "Love Grows Bitter" ― ―
"I'll Bet You" /" Careless Heart" ― ―
1968 "Burning Touch of Love" / "Thank You Baby" ― ―
1969 "Get on the Case" 41 ―
1970 "Soulation" — ―
1971 "Free Yourself" ― ―
"I Don't Want to Lose You" 37 ―
1972 "Dip, Dip, I've Got My Hands Full" ― ―
1972 "Hung Up on You" 48 ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Unterberger, Richie. "Billy Butler". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995. Record Research. p. 59.
  3. ^ a b c "Billy Butler Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...Northern Soul 500". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c "Infinity [soul group] Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "Soul singer Billy Butler dies at age 69". SoulTracks. April 1, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Billy Butler Dies". Soulandjazzandfunk.com. April 1, 2015. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
[edit]
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