Billy Joe Royal is 72 years old today. Born in Valdosta and raised in Marietta, Royal became a local star at Savannah, Georgias Bamboo Ranch in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for the 1965 U.S. Top 10 pop hit Down in the Boondocks, which, along with the singles I Knew You When (Top 20, 1965) and Hush (1967), were written and produced by Joe South. His 1969 single, Cherry Hill Park, peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the 1970s his recording of Hearts Desire gained popularity for Northern soul enthusiasts and was regularly played in Northern soul nightclubs. During the 1980s, Royal scored a successful comeback with several Top 10 country hits, including Tell It Like It Is, Burned Like a Rocket, and Ill Pin a Note on Your Pillow. Billy Joe Royals career experienced a major second wind during the 2000s due to regular airplay on Oldies radio stations. His music was further exposed to younger generations through a movement known as by The Beat Army, an online music forum based on Facebook, which is operated by author and music producer, Paul Collins. Royal continues to tour regularly, performing concerts at casinos, music festivals and clubs in Canada, the United States, Japan and throughout Europe. Royals setlists include a mixture of songs representing multiple genres from the 1960s-present. Here, Royal performs Joe South’s “Down in the Boondocks” in 1965.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 05:10:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015