

"Down in the Boondocks" entered the American top 40Ĭhart on July 3, 1965, and thereafter made headway into the top ten, Recorded "Boondocks" once again at the Columbia recording studio, whereĪ converted septic tank was used to create the song's echo-chamber Once again, it was South who originally had Lowery then assisted Royal in securing a six-year contract withĬolumbia Records. Rather of Bill Lowery, a well-connected music producer and publisher. In a twist of fate the demo attracted the attention not of Pitney, but The original track by Royal was recorded in Atlanta in 1962, but South,Īs it happened, had hoped to pitch the song to Gene Pitney (who wasĪlready a popular star) and requested that Royal record a demo of the "Down in the Boondocks," the recording that made Royal a star. There he made a number of cover recordingsĪnd made contact again with South. When these early demosįailed to attract attention, he moved to Cincinnati in an ongoing questįor a recording contract.

Sent them to Motown and other major labels. In 1962 Royal taped an assortment of low-budget demos and singles, and R&B artists-the Isley Brothers and Sam Cooke among others.
Billy joe royal burned like a rocket professional#
Royal likewise established professional associations with leading Working five-hour stints on stage and maintaining six-day workweeks, Songwriter Joe South, and the two developed a personal friendship. Graduation Royal moved to Savannah, where for two years he made regularĪppearances at the city's popular soul and rhythm-and-blues clubs.ĭuring this period Royal shared living quarters for a time with Royal also formed his own band,īilly Joe and the Corvettes, during high school, and by age 16 he was The program featured prominent guest artists andīrought Royal into professional contact with classic country musicĪrtists such as Ray Stevens, Jerry Reed, and various members of the At age 14 Royal joined a musical revue called Regular singing appearances on his uncle's radio show. He delivered newspapers as a schoolboy, butīy age 11 he was in pursuit of a show-business career, beginning with

Theįamily moved to Marietta when Royal was seven years of age, and toĪtlanta three years later. He was the son of a self-employed truck driver. Was born on Ap(or 1945, according to some sources) in Vocal delivery, Royal performed on guitar, piano, and drums, and also Three decades and into the new millennium. Periods of low visibility, Royal's popularity endured through the next The release of a top ten hit single, "Down in the Boondocks." Despite He earned stardom in his own right in the 1960s after Rhythm-and-blues performers of the 1950s by the time he had graduatedįrom high school. Royal was rubbing elbows with the most popular country and Bio/WikiĪfter his country-rock act was no longer working, he came back to just country, scoring hits with “Tell It Like It Is” and “Burned Like a Rocket.Billy Joe Royal, center with members of the Waycross, GA band, Our Gang, circa 1966īorn on April 3, 1942, near Valdosta, GA.įrom the unpretentious background of a Georgia schoolboy, Billy Joe Right now, we don’t have much information about Education Life.
Billy joe royal burned like a rocket update#
We will update Family, Sibling, Spouse, and Children’s information. He has not shared about He’s parent’s name. He had three children: Joey, Trey, and Savannah. Also discover more detailed information about Current Net worth as well as Monthly/Year salaries, Expenses, Income Reports! Scroll below and check our most recent updates about Billy Joe Royal Net Worth, Salary, Biography, Age, Career, Wiki. Performing rock ‘n’ roll since the age of fourteen, he cut “Down in the Boondocks” as a demo for Columbia and saw it reach the Top Ten of the pop charts. His singles “I Knew You When” and “Hush” was written and produced by Joe South.

Billy Joe Royal was born on April 3, 1942, in Valdosta, GA. Country rock singer of hits like “Down in the Boondocks” and “I Knew You When.” He had numerous singles that reached the Billboard Hot 100, including “Cherry Hill Park” at #15.
