Jerry Butler, the legendary singer who fronted The Impressions before entering a career in politics in Illinois, has died. He was 85. The Iceman's niece Yolanda Goff confirmed his death to the Chicago Sun Times on Friday.

The Chicago native first became known as a member of the Impressions with church pal Curtis Mayfield, and he soon forged out as a solo hitmaker.

A key voice for soul music made in Chicago and Philadelphia, he was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a three-time Grammy Award nominee.

Jerry Butler, the veteran soul hitmaker who became a local Chicago politician, has passed away. Butler was suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and the Chicago Sun-Times reports that he died at home on Thursday night.

Jerry Butler served the city of Chicago as a Cook County Commissioner after leaving the Impressions and concluding his music career.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago soul music giant and politician Jerry Butler has died at 85 years old. Butler first broke onto the charts in 1958 with The Impressions for the ballad "For Your Precious Love."

His writer's workshop produced chart singles for the likes of Isaac Hayes and Aretha Franklin and developed songwriters such as Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy

Jerry Butler, a premier soul singer of the 1960s and after whose rich, intimate baritone graced such hits as "For Your Precious Love," "Only the Strong Survive" and "Make It Easy On Yourself," has died at age 85.