Jerry Butler, 1939 – 2025

Singer (The Impressions) Jerry “The Ice Man” Butler, 85, died on Feb. 20. Butler grew up in the Cabrini–Green housing projects in Chicago, and his baritone voice drew notice early on. He sang with the Impressions (as well as writing songs and playing several instruments) only from 1957-60, and was heard on their "For Your Precious Love", "Come Back My Love,” “Lost,” “I Was Wrong,” and several others, before leaving the group. As a solo artist, Butler recorded such hits as “He Will Break Your Heart,” “Moon River,” “Make It Easy on Yourself,” “Never Give You Up,” “Only the Strong Survive,” and “Hey, Western Union Man.” Butler was elected as Cook County Commissioner in 1985, and served three four-year terms; he also earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Governor's State College. He recalled of fellow Impression Curtis Mayfield, “One day we were cleaning out his grandmother’s closet and he found this old guitar. He tuned it and started to play. No lessons. He just taught himself. About two months later he knew every song we sang in the gospel group. He was only a 16-year-old sophomore. By then he had written maybe 50 or 60 songs. Curtis was always writing. The music just poured out of his head.”