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{{Short description|American singer (1942–2015)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Billy Joe Royal
| name = Billy Joe Royal
| image = Billy Joe Royal.png
| image = Billy_joe_royal_2015.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Royal in 1966
| caption = Royal in 2015
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|4|3|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|4|3|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Valdosta, Georgia]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Valdosta, Georgia]], U.S.
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| death_place = [[Morehead City, North Carolina]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Morehead City, North Carolina]], U.S.
| instrument = Vocals, [[acoustic guitar]], piano
| instrument = Vocals, [[acoustic guitar]], piano
| genre = [[Rock and roll]], [[Country music|country]], [[Gospel music|gospel]]
| genre = [[Rock and roll]], [[country rock]], [[country soul]], [[country pop]]
| occupation = Singer
| occupation = Singer
| years_active = 1950s–2015
| years_active = 1950s–2015
| label = [[Sussex Records|Sussex]], [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Tower Records (record label)|Tower]]
| label = [[Sussex Records|Sussex]], [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Tower Records (record label)|Tower]], [[Brylen Records|Brylen]]
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|http://www.billyjoeroyal.com/ |Official website}}
}}
}}
⚫
'''Billy Joe Royal''' (April 3, 1942 – October 6, 2015) was an American pop and country singer. His most successful record was "[[Down in the Boondocks (song)|Down in the Boondocks]]" in 1965.


⚫
'''Billy Joe Royal''' (April 3, 1942 – October 6, 2015)<ref name="Latimes"/> was an American [[country soul]] singer.<ref name=allmusic>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-joe-royal-mn0000085410|title=Billy Joe Royal &#124; Biography, Albums, Streaming Links|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=August 10, 2021}}</ref> His most successful record was "[[Down in the Boondocks (song)|Down in the Boondocks]]" in 1965.
⚫
==Life and career==
⚫
Born in [[Valdosta, Georgia]] to Clarence Royal and Mary Sue Smith, and raised in [[Marietta, Georgia]], Royal performed at the Georgia Jubilee in Atlanta during his teens. He formed his own [[rock and roll]] band, and became a local [[celebrity|star]] at the Bamboo Ranch in [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] in the late 1950s and early 1960s, where his singing style was influenced by African-American performers, including [[Sam Cooke]].<ref name=allmusic>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-joe-royal-mn0000085410/biography Biography by James Manheim, ''Allmusic.com'']. Retrieved 8 October 2015</ref>


⚫
==Life and career==
⚫
Royal was a friend of performer and [[songwriter]] [[Joe South]], and recorded what was intended as a [[demo (music)|demo]] of South's song "[[Down in the Boondocks (song)|Down in the Boondocks]]". The recording was heard at [[Columbia Records]], who offered Royal a singing contract in 1965 and released his version of the song, produced by South.<ref name=allmusic/> "Down in the Boondocks" remained his best-known song, reaching number 9 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref>[http://musicvf.com/song.php?id=4964 Billy Joe Royal's Down in the Boondocks' Chart Position] Retrieved September 22, 2012.</ref> and number 38 in the UK.<ref>''British Hit Singles & Albums''. Guinness World Records, 17th ed 2004.</ref>
[[File:Billy Joe Royal.png|200px|thumb|left|Royal in 1966]]
⚫
Born in [[Valdosta, Georgia]], to Clarence and Mary Sue Smith Royal, and raised in [[Marietta, Georgia]], Royal performed at the Georgia Jubilee in Atlanta during his teens. He formed his own [[rock and roll]] band, and became a local [[celebrity|star]] at the Bamboo Ranch in [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] in the late 1950s and early 1960s, where his singing style was influenced by African-American performers, including [[Sam Cooke]].<ref name=allmusic/>
⚫
Royal was a friend of performer and [[songwriter]] [[Joe South]], and recorded what was intended as a [[demo (music)|demo]] of South's song "[[Down in the Boondocks (song)|Down in the Boondocks]]". The recording was heard at [[Columbia Records]], who offered Royal a singing contract in 1965 and released his version of the song, produced by South.<ref name=allmusic/> "Down in the Boondocks" remained his best-known song, reaching number 9 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://musicvf.com/song.php?id=4964|title=Down in the Boondocks (song by Billy Joe Royal) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts|website=Musicvf.com|access-date=August 10, 2021}}</ref> and number 38 in the [[UK Singles Chart|UK]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12029/billy-joe-royal/|title=BILLY JOE ROYAL &#124; full Official Chart History|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=August 10, 2021}}</ref>


He followed up his initial success with the [[single (music)|singles]] "[[I Knew You When (song)|I Knew You When]]" (Top 20, 1965) and "[[Hush (Billy Joe Royal song)|Hush]]" (1967), also written and produced by Joe South. Another South composition, "[[Yo-Yo (Billy Joe Royal song)|Yo-Yo]]," just missed the top 40 in Canada and charted poorly in the U.S. when Royal released it in 1967, but a later remake by [[The Osmonds]] was a much greater success. His 1969 single, "[[Cherry Hill Park]]", peaked at No.&nbsp;15 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name=billyjoeroyal.com>{{cite web|title=Billy Joe Royal|url=http://billyjoeroyal.com/|publisher=Billyjoeroyal.com/|accessdate=March 29, 2011}}</ref> In the 1970s his recording of "Heart's Desire" gained popularity among [[Northern soul]] enthusiasts and was regularly played in Northern soul nightclubs.<ref name="TooDarnSoulful">{{cite book | title=Too Darn Soulful – The Story of Northern Soul | publisher=Robson Books | author=Nowell, David | year=1999 | location=London | pages=118 | isbn=1-86105-270-7}}</ref>
He followed up his initial success with the [[single (music)|singles]] "[[I Knew You When (Billy Joe Royal song)|I Knew You When]]" (Top 20, 1965) and "[[Hush (Billy Joe Royal song)|Hush]]" (1967), also written and produced by Joe South. Another South composition, "[[Yo-Yo (Billy Joe Royal song)|Yo-Yo]]", just missed the top 40 in Canada and charted poorly in the U.S. when Royal released it in 1967, but a later remake by [[The Osmonds]] was a much greater success. His 1969 single, "[[Cherry Hill Park]]", peaked at No.&nbsp;15 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name=billyjoeroyal.com>{{cite web|title=Billy Joe Royal|url=http://billyjoeroyal.com/|publisher=Billyjoeroyal.com/|access-date=March 29, 2011}}</ref> In the 1970s his recording of "Heart's Desire" gained popularity among [[Northern soul]] enthusiasts and was regularly played in Northern soul nightclubs.<ref name="TooDarnSoulful">{{cite book | title=Too Darn Soulful – The Story of Northern Soul | publisher=Robson Books | author=Nowell, David | year=1999 | location=London | pages=118 | isbn=1-86105-270-7}}</ref>


By the late 1970s, Royal had become a regular performer in [[Las Vegas]], and also appeared as an actor in movies and on television. His last hit on the US pop charts was in 1978, when his version of "[[Under the Boardwalk]]" became a minor hit. However, he reinvented himself in the 1980s as a mainstream [[country music|country]] star, and had his first hit on the [[Hot Country Songs|country music chart]] in 1984 with "[[Burned Like a Rocket]]", released on the [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] label. His other country hits included "[[I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow]]" (1987), "[[Tell It Like It Is (song)|Tell It Like It Is]]", and "[[Till I Can't Take It Anymore]]" (both 1989). His successes on the country charts continued until the early 1990s.<ref name=allmusic/>
By the late 1970s, Royal had become a regular performer in [[Las Vegas]], and also appeared as an actor in movies and on television. His last hit on the US pop charts was in 1978, when his version of "[[Under the Boardwalk]]" became a minor hit. However, he reinvented himself in the 1980s as a mainstream [[country music|country]] star, and had his first hit on the [[Hot Country Songs|country music chart]] in 1985 with "[[Burned Like a Rocket]]", released on the [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] label. His other country hits included "[[I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow]]" (1987), "[[Tell It Like It Is (song)|Tell It Like It Is]]", and "[[Till I Can't Take It Anymore]]" (both 1989). His successes on the country charts continued until the early 1990s.<ref name=allmusic/>


Royal experienced a second comeback during the 2000s due to regular airplay on "[[oldies]]" radio stations. His music was further exposed to younger generations through a movement known as [[The Beat Army]], an online music forum based on Facebook which is operated by author and music producer [[Paul Collins (musician)|Paul Collins]]. Royal continued to tour regularly, performing concerts at casinos, music festivals, and clubs in North America, Japan, and throughout Europe. His set lists included a mixture of songs representing multiple genres from the 1960s onwards. He also played Robert Ally in the [[Indie film|indie]] Western film ''Billy the Kid'' (2013), co-starring country singer [[Confederate Railroad|Cody McCarver]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Forbesfilms.com|title=Billy the Kid|url=http://forbesfilms.com|work=A Cold Day in Hell|accessdate=March 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2935888/ |title=''Billy the Kid'' (2013)|publisher=IMDb.com|accessdate=August 24, 2013}}</ref>
Royal experienced a second comeback during the 2000s due to regular airplay on Country and Classic radio stations. His music was further exposed to younger generations through a movement known as [[The Beat Army]], an online music forum based on Facebook which is operated by author and music producer [[Paul Collins (musician)|Paul Collins]]. Royal continued to tour regularly, performing concerts at casinos, music festivals, and clubs in North America, Japan, and throughout Europe. His set lists included a mixture of songs representing multiple genres from the 1960s onwards. He also played Robert Ally in the [[Indie film|indie]] Western film, ''Billy the Kid'' (2013), co-starring country singer [[Confederate Railroad|Cody McCarver]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Forbesfilms.com|title=Billy the Kid|url=http://forbesfilms.com|work=A Cold Day in Hell|access-date=March 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2935888/ |title=''Billy the Kid'' (2013)|website=IMDb.com|access-date=August 24, 2013}}</ref>


Royal died in his sleep on October 6, 2015 in [[Morehead City, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/10/06/singer-billy-joe-royal-dies-73/73489544/ |title=Singer Billy Joe Royal dies at 73 |first=Juli |last=Thanki |work=[[The Tennessean]] |date=October 6, 2015 |accessdate=October 7, 2015}}</ref>
Royal died in his sleep on October 6, 2015, at his home in [[Morehead City, North Carolina]].<ref name="Latimes">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-billy-joe-royal-20151012-story.html|title=Billy Joe Royal dies at 73; sang 'Down in the Boondocks'|date=October 11, 2015|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=August 10, 2021}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0747231}}
* {{Official website|http://www.billyjoeroyal.com/}}
* [https://www.myspace.com/officialbillyjoeroyal Billy Joe Royal] at [[MySpace]]
* {{discogs artist|Billy Joe Royal}}
* {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p1799/biography}}
* [http://www.tsimon.com/royal.htm Billy Joe Royal] at fansite


{{Billy Joe Royal}}
{{Billy Joe Royal}}
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[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American pop singers]]
[[Category:American male pop singers]]
[[Category:American country singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American country singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American country singers]]
[[Category:People from Valdosta, Georgia]]
[[Category:People from Valdosta, Georgia]]
[[Category:Musicians from Marietta, Georgia]]
[[Category:Musicians from Marietta, Georgia]]
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[[Category:Columbia Records artists]]
[[Category:Columbia Records artists]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:Brylen Records artists]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:People from Morehead City, North Carolina]]
[[Category:People from Morehead City, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Country musicians from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Country musicians from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Country musicians from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Country musicians from North Carolina]]
[[Category:20th-century male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from North Carolina]]

Latest revision as of 07:59, 24 June 2024

Billy Joe Royal
Royal in 2015
Royal in 2015
Background information
Born(1942-04-03)April 3, 1942
Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.
DiedOctober 6, 2015(2015-10-06) (aged 73)
Morehead City, North Carolina, U.S.
GenresRock and roll, country rock, country soul, country pop
OccupationSinger
Instrument(s)Vocals, acoustic guitar, piano
Years active1950s–2015
LabelsSussex, Columbia, Atlantic, Tower, Brylen

Billy Joe Royal (April 3, 1942 – October 6, 2015)[1] was an American country soul singer.[2] His most successful record was "Down in the Boondocks" in 1965.

Life and career

[edit]
Royal in 1966

Born in Valdosta, Georgia, to Clarence and Mary Sue Smith Royal, and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Royal performed at the Georgia Jubilee in Atlanta during his teens. He formed his own rock and roll band, and became a local star at the Bamboo Ranch in Savannah in the late 1950s and early 1960s, where his singing style was influenced by African-American performers, including Sam Cooke.[2] Royal was a friend of performer and songwriter Joe South, and recorded what was intended as a demo of South's song "Down in the Boondocks". The recording was heard at Columbia Records, who offered Royal a singing contract in 1965 and released his version of the song, produced by South.[2] "Down in the Boondocks" remained his best-known song, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100,[3] and number 38 in the UK.[4]

He followed up his initial success with the singles "I Knew You When" (Top 20, 1965) and "Hush" (1967), also written and produced by Joe South. Another South composition, "Yo-Yo", just missed the top 40 in Canada and charted poorly in the U.S. when Royal released it in 1967, but a later remake by The Osmonds was a much greater success. His 1969 single, "Cherry Hill Park", peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] In the 1970s his recording of "Heart's Desire" gained popularity among Northern soul enthusiasts and was regularly played in Northern soul nightclubs.[6]

By the late 1970s, Royal had become a regular performer in Las Vegas, and also appeared as an actor in movies and on television. His last hit on the US pop charts was in 1978, when his version of "Under the Boardwalk" became a minor hit. However, he reinvented himself in the 1980s as a mainstream country star, and had his first hit on the country music chart in 1985 with "Burned Like a Rocket", released on the Atlantic label. His other country hits included "I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow" (1987), "Tell It Like It Is", and "Till I Can't Take It Anymore" (both 1989). His successes on the country charts continued until the early 1990s.[2]

Royal experienced a second comeback during the 2000s due to regular airplay on Country and Classic radio stations. His music was further exposed to younger generations through a movement known as The Beat Army, an online music forum based on Facebook which is operated by author and music producer Paul Collins. Royal continued to tour regularly, performing concerts at casinos, music festivals, and clubs in North America, Japan, and throughout Europe. His set lists included a mixture of songs representing multiple genres from the 1960s onwards. He also played Robert Ally in the indie Western film, Billy the Kid (2013), co-starring country singer Cody McCarver.[7][8]

Royal died in his sleep on October 6, 2015, at his home in Morehead City, North Carolina.[1]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Billy Joe Royal discography

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Billy Joe Royal dies at 73; sang 'Down in the Boondocks'". Los Angeles Times. October 11, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Billy Joe Royal | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Down in the Boondocks (song by Billy Joe Royal) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "BILLY JOE ROYAL | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Billy Joe Royal". Billyjoeroyal.com/. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  6. ^ Nowell, David (1999). Too Darn Soulful – The Story of Northern Soul. London: Robson Books. p. 118. ISBN 1-86105-270-7.
  7. ^ "Billy the Kid". A Cold Day in Hell. Forbesfilms.com. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  8. ^ "Billy the Kid (2013)". IMDb.com. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
[edit]
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