Lord Have Mercy on the Boy From Down in the Boondocks: Billy Joe Royal Passes Away
One of the most revered and recognizable voices in American pop and country music has passed away. The “boy from down in the boondocks,” Billy Joe Royal, died on Tuesday, October 6th at his home in Marietta, North Carolina. The Valdosta, Georgia native and world renown singer was 73-years-old. According to reports, he passed away quietly in his sleep.
Billy Joe Royal began his music career in the pop and rock worlds with some massive singles that have since become standards of the American songbook. It started when the singer began playing the Bamboo Ranch in Savannah, GA where he met Roy Orbison, who encouraged him to pursue singing as a career. But it was the sentiment of the poor kid trying to court a woman of high society in 1965’s “Down in the Boondocks” written by Joe South that put Billy Joe on the popular music map. He stayed there with songs such as “Hush,” which went on to be recorded by Deep Purple, and “I knew You When.” Royal became known as one of the premier singers in the blue-eyed soul scene, but his career began to fade in the 70’s as the popular styles began to change.
Then in the 80’s, Billy Joe Royal made a comeback in the country realm, though his sound didn’t seem to change. It was still songs that hearkened back to the golden age of rock and pop, with a cover of “Tell It Like It Is” being his greatest success, peaking at #2 on the country charts. Royal when out of the way at the time to say he didn’t particularly consider himself country, but he was embraced by the genre nonetheless.
His song “Burned Like a Rocket” was on its way to becoming a big hit in country when the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster struck in January of 1986, and radio programmers pulled the single. But Billy Joe persevered, and put together a successful country career throughout the late 80’s. His 1987 album The Royal Treatment was eventually certified gold. “I’ll Pin a Note on Your Pillow” was another hit in country for Royal.
A third resurgence occurred for Royal in the 2000’s when his songs were regularly featured on oldies radio stations, and he toured regularly in North American, Europe, and Japan.
Billy Joe Royal is survived by his ex-wife Michelle Royal and daughter Savannah.
October 7, 2015 @ 12:41 am
Too sad to hear this. I have a copy of ”The Royal Treatment” (on vinyl of course) but it’s almost 30 years to play it. On country music there was always an appreciation of great voices even though his songs weren’t actuall country.
October 7, 2015 @ 5:56 am
Billy Joe Royal may not have considered himself Country and at the end of the day he is at heart a rock and pop singer. However I think he came into the genre reverently and by doing that, added to the legacy of Country music with his songs and his voice. Rest in peace Mr. Royal and prayers for his family.
October 7, 2015 @ 6:43 am
In George Jones’ autobiography he says that “A Country Music fan is the most loyal creature in the world, if you’re honest with him.” Mr. Royal was honest about his music, and he will be remembered, even by a genre he didn’t consider himself a part of. He does a great job with “I’m so Lonesome.”
October 7, 2015 @ 9:39 am
So sad to hear. One of the first songs I ever remember hearing on my little toy record player was my dad’s 45 of “Down In the Boondocks”. Timeless.
October 7, 2015 @ 2:51 pm
We seen him In Portland tn,with Ronnie McDowell he was great. My cousin who played in band said that get us all to go out to eat with him next month. I was looking so forward to it. He was a sweet kind man. R.I.P Billy Joe…
October 7, 2015 @ 8:06 pm
Rest in Peace Billy Joe Royal. You are sadly missed. You are singing “Burned like a Rocket”, I’ll Pin a note on your pillow” and your other hits on the other side.
October 7, 2015 @ 9:03 pm
I first became aware of Royal when his record of “Til I Can’t Take It Anymore,” was a being played on country radio. in the ’80s. Later, I began exploring Charlie Rich and found his recording of the song on his “Behind Closed Doors” album from at least a decade earlier. I have to admit I prefer Rich’s version by a mile, but I’ll salute Royal for taking a crack at and reviving some great songs..
October 9, 2015 @ 7:38 am
One of my favorite songs in the 80’s was “Love has no Right” by Billy Joe Royal. Loved his voice, so much feeling. Rest in Peace.