Jerry Butler, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and longtime Illinois politician, has passed away at the age of 85. Born on December 8, 1939, in Sunflower, Mississippi, Butler rose to fame with The Impressions in 1958, achieving success with their first gold record single “For Your Precious Love”. He later became known as “The Iceman” for his smooth vocals during a 1959 performance. Butler collaborated with top artists and earned three Grammy Award nominations before pursuing a career in politics.
Butler was first elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1985, serving three terms before earning a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He was married to Annette Smith for 60 years until her death in 2019 and is survived by his sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Butler died of natural causes at his home in Chicago on February 20, 2024, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/rock-roll-hall-famer-turned-153514506.html