Description

Billy Joe Royal (April 3, 1942 – October 6, 2015) was an American country soul singer. His most successful record was "Down in the Boondocks" in 1965. 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. 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. "Down in the Boondocks" remained his best-known song, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 38 in the UK. Check out my eBay store for more Music, Movies, Disney items, and other relics. Combined shipping available. Returns are accepted. Conditions as shown in listing photos. Veteran owned business.