![]() “I say this with all humility,” he said on his website. Royal had a few hits on the country charts in the 1970s and 1980s, and toured extensively with B.J. “We got a chance to meet all these people,” Royal said in his biography, “and then they’d leave town and we’d steal their acts.” He soon joined the house band at The Bamboo Ranch, in Savannah, working with stars such as Fats Domino, George Jones, The Isley Brothers, Roy Orbison and his idol, Sam Cooke. … Now he belongs to the ages.”īorn and raised in Valdosta, Georgia, Royal’s first public performance came at age five his first musical paycheck was $5 cash, for a New Year’s Eve show that featured a young Gladys Knight, according to his website. McDowell told CNN there was “never a nicer guy than Billy. They were schedule to hit the road together again next month. Royal died in his sleep on Tuesday at home in North Carolina, tour partner Ronnie McDowell told CNN. WASHINGTON – Singer Billy Joe Royal, best known for the 1960s hit singles “Down in the Boondocks” and “Cherry Hill Park,” has died, multiple sources report. Business & Finance Click to expand menu.Billy Joe Royal, age 67, of 10 Shiloh Church Road – Apt. 2, Sparta, NC passed away Sunday, Octoat his residence. He was born Octoin Alleghany County to the late Earl Paul and Bessie Faye Jones Royal. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister, Thelma Lucille Trivett one brother, Bobby Lee Royal, Sr.īilly was a loving and caring person. He loved everybody and never met a stranger. He enjoyed working puzzles and his animals. He is survived by one brother, Gary Royal and fiancé Deborah Nichols of Mocksville two sisters, Margie Moody of Thurmond, Barbara Carpenter of Lansing special companion, Nancy Perry of the home several nieces and nephews also survive. The family requests the honor of your presence at the Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Billy at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Octoin the chapel of Grandview Memorial Funeral Home with Brother Ed Hall and Reverend Tommy Jones officiating. The family will receive friends starting at 5:00 p.m. until time of the service at the funeral home and other times at the residence. This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos You may not upload any more photos to this memorial Grandview Memorial Funeral Home is proudly serving the Royal family. GREAT NEWS! We have a volunteer within ten miles of your requested photo location. GREAT NEWS! We have 2 volunteers within ten miles of your requested photo location.Īlso an additional volunteer within fifty miles.Īlso an additional 2 volunteers within fifty miles. GREAT NEWS! We have a volunteer within fifty miles of your requested photo location. GREAT NEWS! We have 2 volunteers within fifty miles of your requested photo location. Sorry! We do not have any photo volunteers within fifty miles of your requested photo location. You can still file a request but no one will be notified. Year should not be greater than current year If a new volunteer signs up in your requested photo location, they may see your existing request and take the photo. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates.Biography Best known for his country-flavored rock hit "Down in the Boondocks," Billy Joe Royal had a long career that saw him become one of the first pop performers to successfully revive his commercial fortunes by turning to straight country music. Although he never had another hit as successful as "Down in the Boondocks," he racked up about 15 singles that hit the country charts over the course of the 1980s. Royal was born into a family of musical entertainers in Valdosta, Georgia, and made his debut on his uncle's radio show at the age of 11. He learned to play steel guitar and joined the Georgia Jubilee in Atlanta at 14, performing with Joe South, Jerry Reed, and Ray Stevens, among several other artists. ![]() ![]() Royal had his own rock & roll band in high school and was regularly singing around Atlanta by the age of 16. He also spent time in Savannah, where he was influenced by African-American vocal styles and began to develop his distinctive vocal sound. Performing at a nightclub that also booked Sam Cooke and other African-American stars, Royal observed their vocal moves and began to practice them on his own time. In 1962, he recorded an independent single that went unnoticed.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |