‘Unsung’ Remembers ‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ Singer Billy Paul

Billy Paul rose to the top of the charts with his No. 1 single “Me and Mrs. Jones” in 1972. But before finding international fame, the late soul singer struggled for years in obscurity.

TV One’s music documentary series Unsung looked back on the Grammy-winning singer’s life this weekend, including Paul’s work in the Civil Rights movement, the making of “Me and Mrs. Jones,” and the singer’s struggles with substance abuse.

The Philadelphia native’s wife and manager, Blanche Williams, told Unsung the success that followed the release of “Me and Mrs. Jones” changed Paul’s life.

“It absolutely changed everything,” she said. “Like a lot of people, he started smoking weed, we thought that was cool. Then the cocaine came, later.”

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Paul was born Paul Williams on Dec. 1, 1934 in Philadelphia.

He started making a name for himself at age 11, when he appeared on local radio station WPEN. He attended the West Philadelphia Music School and received vocal training, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.

The singer released a total of 15 albums. Yet, his greatest success came in 1972 with the release of “Me and Mrs. Jones,” which was written and produced by iconic songwriting duo Gamble and Huff, known for creating the “Philly sound” of the 1970s.

The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts and received a Grammy Award.

But Paul’s wife Blanche said Billy’s drug use got worse as he became an international star, touring around the world.

“When you are flying to Brazil for 18, 20 hours to get where you’re going, and you are so tired and jet lagged and weary that you cannot sleep, it’s almost like you were programmed to do something to get you up, because you can’t go on stage like that,” she explained. “Then you need something to take you down so that you can sleep.”

Paul died on April 24, 2016, his spokesperson Beverly Gay told NBC10. He had cancer and passed away at his home in Blackwood, New Jersey, shortly after receiving the diagnosis.

The Unsung episode on the singer’s life and career aired Sunday, March 29.