Anthology

JERRY BUTLER grew up in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing complex and used music and church as solace from the segregated city. Butler performed in a church choir and sang in a gospel quartet with Curtis Mayfield. Butler wrote “For Your Precious Love” and his band, The Impressions, auditioned for Chess and Vee-Jay Records before putting out their first hit, gold records.

Butler’s solo career had a string of hits including the Top 10 successes “He Will Break Your Heart,” “Find Another Firl” and “Moon River” among others. He also produced an album with Dee Dee Sharp-Gamble and the hit “Breaking and Entering” spent four weeks at number one on the Hot Music chart.

In the 1980s, Butler started his stint as Cook County Board Commissioner. He has also served as host of PBS TV music specials. In 1991, The Impressions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Black Keys covered “Never Give You Up” on their 2010 album, Brothers.