Soul Shrews Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 So sad to have to report that Billy passed away 1am Chicago time this morning.Thanks for the music Billy, Mandy and I are proud to have known youPaul Woosnam Click here to view this soul source article in full 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Wiganer1 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 TOTAL LEGEND ..So sorry to hear he is not well i have 15 minutes of him live at wigan and contrary to belief its AMAZING!! so many great records hes made - a legacy few can hope to match 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Dave Thorley Posted March 14, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Billy is woven into the very fabric of the UK soul scene. For many of us our earliest memories will have included hearing 'The Right Track' blaring out of one club or another's speakers. Soon after I discovered this was only the tip of an amazing iceberg. My thoughts are with his family and friends........... The Right Track https://youtu.be/VtfbgSUfY-o This has grown to be one of my favourites by him .................. My Love For You Grows https://youtu.be/Sjco8K9k-1Q Edited March 14, 2015 by Dave Thorley 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Parker Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 saddened to hear that things aren't good! As stated, some fine tunes recorded by BB, fingers crossed for the guy Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Bearsoul Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) NOT GOOD NEWS I'M SORRY TO SAY FOLKS ! MR BILLY BUTLER IS VERY POORLY AND HAS BEEN GIVEN ONLY A FEW MONTHS MORE WITH US AS HE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER THIS IS FROM THE FAMILY VIA A VERY CLOSE FRIEND , HIS FAMILY HAVE SAID IT IS OK TO LET EVERYONE KNOW. HOPE EVERYONE WILL SAY A PRAYER FOR BILLY AND SUPPORT HIM . BILLY HAS GIVEN US ALL SO MUCH PLEASURE AND ENRICHED OUR LIVES WE'RE ALL THINKING OF YOU SIR ! ALSO SEE PREVIOUS POST BY PAUL WOOSNAM (SORRY PAUL DIDN'T SEE POST) Edited March 14, 2015 by bearsoul 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Philreeves Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Billy, Thinking of you and all of the great music you made. Brilliant guitarist, singer (and backing singer) and composer. In all of these fields you excelled. You helped make Chicago soul of the sixties so MAGICAL for me!. Thank you so much. Fight like mad to stay around please. Phil 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Zoomsoulblue Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Back in 82 I use to play Right Track the instrumental then fade in the vocal so you had double Billy - Wirrina and The Fleet floor reaction was always the same packed out with the clapping. One of the all time classic soul sounds that says Northern Soul 100% thinking of you BB be strong , you gotta keep on going never looking back coz I belive that your on the right track 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chris L Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 An enormous talent, a part of that Chicago soul scene, singer brother, mates with Mayfield and all the Okeh/Dakar/Brunswick gang. We wish him well. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Agentsmith Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 The SECOND northern soul record i EVER bought, on okeh..since then a demo has materialized and resides in the playbox, an ever present...Probably THEE most iconic tune to grace the scene, literally a national anthem..yet just one offering amongst his catalogue of great tunes..always in the shadow of his more illustrious brother, but that's not to take away anything from him because the "Right Track" will always be his signature, the driving force that sends generations of elated soulies to the dance floor..may we all pray for a miracle, amen. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
grantdyche Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 My Thoughts and Prayers for Mr Butler and his family 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mellorful Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I have said a prayer for you Billy. We carry you in our hearts and your soulful tunes are engraved in our minds. Keep on fighting the illness and stay strong. Stu Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mal C Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 That's really sad to hear, Gonna Send Billy some SOUL POWER!! from here in Berkshire... Stay strong, and get well soon Billy... Malcolm 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
KevH Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Sad news,love his work,Right Track - classic. Edited March 14, 2015 by KevH Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulfinger Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Billy's voice has been a constant presence through my 40+ years of loving soul music. I've always had a particular soft spot for I'll Bet You. I am so sorry to hear he is so unwell. God bless. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Supercorsa Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Billy Butler - class act! Where do you start, Right Track, Sweet Darlin', Come Over To My Side, Nevertheless, I'll Bet You, amongst so many others. Thank You Billy. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest GeoffB Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) All I can say is his music will live on. Thank you for the music Billy. Edited March 14, 2015 by GeoffB Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Copywrightcat Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Just wondering how many people started their curiousity into the N Soul scene after hearing Billy's Right Track I was one who heard this Iconic track at school & this plus a few others set me on The Right Track for a very awsome journey .. Very sorry to hear this news "Stay Strong Billy & never give up "... 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
okehgaz Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Sad news. Keep strong. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soul Shrews Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 Thanks for all the posts soul source members. Fitting for a real soul legend On a personal note; Billly, we will always treasure the lovely times we spent together in Washington DC (and that breakfast in Chicago ! ) We wish you, Mattie, Jerry and all your family strength in the coming days. Love you brother Paul and Mandy 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
KevH Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Billy Butler - class act! Where do you start, Right Track, Sweet Darlin', Come Over To My Side, Nevertheless, I'll Bet You, amongst so many others. Thank You Billy. yes nevertheless love that tune!! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
AlanB Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) Sorry to hear this, all the best to him. He's been one of my favourites going back to 1969 when I first hear Right Track. Never tire of hearing his Okeh and Brunswick recordings, every one great. Edited March 15, 2015 by AlanB Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Biggordy Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Chicago legend. Thinking of Billy and his family right now. Best wishes. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest chorleybloke Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Billy, I played Right Track at a gig in Western Australia last night. It's the first record I go to if the dancefloor's flagging a bit and it worked a treat like it always does. Loads of fingers crossed and our thoughts are with you down under. Keep On Pete Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) It's quite incredible to contemplate how sometimes music touches the hearts and lives of so many people, not just at the time the music was created, but across generations, decades and continents. Billy, you're a man whose music has done exactly that. Sending you best wishes and positive thoughts from the Netherlands. Edited March 15, 2015 by Russell Gilbert 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Bloodseed Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 legend simply as that Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
macca Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) Not good news. Have to say he was the first artist associated with the Northern Soul Scene I saw perform live in my old home-town Peterborough, around 1975. The scene classics are part of our personal DNA, and The Right Track is right up there in the top ten as far as 'records that define the genre' are concerned. Other Billy Butler records I loved and still love are Help Yourself, Sweet Darling, I'll Bet You, Come On Over To My Side and the fabulous ballad I Don't Want To Lose You, which is total class. Hope he gets to read some of these tributes. Edited March 15, 2015 by macca 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Pauldonnelly Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Not good news. Have to say he was the first artist associated with the Northern Soul Scene I saw perform live in my old home-town Peterborough, around 1975. The scene classics are part of our personal DNA, and The Right Track is right up there in the top ten as far as 'records that define the genre' are concerned. Other Billy Butler records I loved and still love are Help Yourself, Sweet Darling, I'll Bet You, Come On Over To My Side and the fabulous ballad I Don't Want To Lose You, which is total class. Hope he gets to read some of these tributes. had the honour of introducing him that night Macca awesome act and lovely man... 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Labeat Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Just wondering how many people started their curiousity into the N Soul scene after hearing Billy's Right Track I was one who heard this Iconic track at school & this plus a few others set me on The Right Track for a very awsome journey .. Very sorry to hear this news "Stay Strong Billy & never give up "... I'm one that fits your description, at school first then my towns Top Rank. That guitar intro has to be one of the most recogniseable of all Soul records. I made special journeys down to Soul City records in the early 70's and always first asked "have you got Right Track in?".... Get well Billy Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mellorful Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) Billy Butler - class act! Where do you start, Right Track, Sweet Darlin', Come Over To My Side, Nevertheless, I'll Bet You, amongst so many others. Thank You Billy. Quite right, pure class. And Boston Monkey. Edited March 16, 2015 by mellorful Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mellorful Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Would this be the right forum to ask all promoters to request the respective DJ to play a Billy Butler tune at 10pm next Saturday out of respect and love for an artist who has given us all so much pleasure over the years. I would hope a positive vibe could be felt by Billy on the other side of the pond and lift him. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Hope you get chance to read all these messages of support . Wishing you a speedy recovery. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Labeat Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Hope you get chance to read all these messages of support . Wishing you a speedy recovery. Steve Does Billy access this site Steve? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Does Billy access this site Steve? Not sure Neil Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soul Shrews Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Does Billy access this site Steve? We have informed Terisa Griffin about this thread and how to access it. She is in regular contact with Billy and his family so would hope he will see it. Which is one of the reasons I started it after recieving permission from his family. Thanks Paul 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest johnny hart Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Billy; A Great Talent ;singer ,song writer and performer,My favourite track; Tomorrow is Another Day" ,One you wrote and recorded for okeh records in 1965. In England you are a true Star to thousands of fans;"Buena Salud". Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
arnie j Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 what can u say about billy butler ! hes a complete ledgend to us and has given us all more joy and soul in his music than he will ever know,thank you sir,a true soul ledgend jason Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve G Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 A great talent, lets not forget his work as a songwriter some greats with his name on them as a member of the Chicago Writers workshop. Also the group Infinity on Fountain (Jerry's label), Pride etc. Here's wishing him well. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Chalky Posted March 16, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 16, 2015 I doubt there is a week goes by where his records are not played. As said a great talent both with the mic and behind the records. Nice photo courtesy of Dave Welding.... 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Wilxy Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Greatest Respect to you Sir, My thoughts and prayers are with you..... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jim Elliott Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Wishing you well Mr Butler. You've made a lot of people very happy over the years in the UK and beyond! Be strong. Jim. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
pete mattock Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I have only just seen this. My thoughts are with you Billy. One of my favourite tunes from a wonderful catalogue has to be 'Careless Heart' Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Spacehopper Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 wishing u well Mr Butler and cant forget' burning touch of love' another fave and also aswell as the soul scene 'right track' was.is and always will be one of the biggest tunes on the 'scooter scene'..a scene playing all different types of music but right track will fill the dancefloor everytime at dozens of events every weekend dean Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
JOHNNYBETCHA Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Wishing you a speedy recovery Billy - The Right Track was one of my first buys - a long, long, long time ago, and it still sounds as good as ever! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 with the sad news of his passing on today the follow on posts and the news have been split and moved to a news article/thread here https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/news-soul/billy-butler-sad-news-rip-r3085 will now close this thread Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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