Rock
The song “Down in the Boondocks” was written by Billy Joe Royal’s friend singer-songwriter-guitarist Joe South. Billy Joe Royal recorded it, and in 1965, the song went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was in the top 40 in the U.K. Billy Joe Royal also has the song on his 1965 album Down in the Boondocks. Royal gives an great performance to this story about a poor boy and rich girl who love each other but can’t yet overcome the strictures society puts on them and have to meet in secret. Although her father is his boss, the singer believes he will overcome the poverty of his background. The session musicians for the recording were Reggie Young (electric guitar), Bill Hullett (acoustic guitar) Sam Levin (horns), Clayton Ivey (piano ), Bob Wray (six string bass), and Greg Morrow (drums).
Billy Joe Royal was born in Valdosta, Georgia, on April 3, 1942. He sang in both the rock and roll and country genres. He had charting success with “I Knew You When, “Hush,” “Yo-Yo,” and “Cherry Hill Park.” He also had country hits with “Burned Like a Rocket,” “I’ll Pin a Note on Your Pillow,” “Tell It Like It is,” and “Till I Can’t Take it Anymore.” Royal toured and performed for many decades. He also acted in the 2013 film Billy The Kid. He died in his sleep on October 6, 2015.
