When a Philadelphia radio disc jockey gave the young Jerry Butler the nickname of “the Iceman”, it was in recognition of the singer’s avoidance of on-stage histrionics rather than any lack of warmth in his polished but ardent delivery.
Butler, who has died aged 85, had hits across three decades, with records that spanned the evolution of African-American popular music, from the gospel-influenced doo-wop of For Your Precious Love, aimed at the teenagers of the 1950s, through the suave balladry of Moon River and Make It Easy on Yourself in the 60s, to the sophisticated boudoir soul of I Want to Do It to You in the 70s.
