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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZROYAL, Billy Joe(b 3 April 1945, Valdosta GA; d 6 October 2015, Morehead Cith NC) Pop/country singer, grew up near Atlanta. Eight pop hits '65-7, five of them written and produced by close friend Joe South, including the biggest, 'Down In The Boondocks'. He made the top 15 '69 with 'Cherry Hill Park', came back to Hot 100 '71 with 'Tulsa', switched to Private Stock label to reach Hot 100 again '78 with 'Under The Boardwalk'; went country: 'Burned Like A Rocket' on Atlantic America reached the country top ten '85, but DJs stopped playing it after the Challenger disaster. Album Looking Ahead spent more than a year on the country chart, reaching no. 21; The Royal Treatment '87 included 'Members Only' (duet with Donna Fargo), 'I'll Pin A Note On My Pillow'; Tell It Like It Is '89 reached top 20, title track a no. 2 single. Out Of The Shadows '90, Billy Joe Royal '92 were also on Atlantic. He was preparing for a tour when he died suddenly; the cause was not immediately announced. |