Billy Joe Royal Dies at 73

One of the great artists of the 60's, 70's and 80's died on Tuesday.  Hailing from Valdosta Georgia, Billie Joe Royal, he grew up just north of Atlanta later moving to Savannah.  He had a great following at the Bamboo Club as close to 2,500 people each night would flock to the club to see Royal and others perform.  He would become friends with Roy Orbison,who gave him encouragement to pursue his dream as an artist.

He released the song "Down In The Boondocks" in 1965 on Columbia records.  The song would peak to #9 and the song that was penned by Joe South would help him to become a star. “Cherry Hill Park,” which became his final Top-40 on the pop charts in 1969. 

He would leave Columbia Records in the early 70's and make the rounds on a few smaller labels. He would eventually land on Mercury Records and release a self-titled album in 1980.  His next fourteen single releases hit the country charts, with the biggest being his cover of “Tell It Like It Is,” which hit No. 2 in 1989.