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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 ZRUSSELL, Bobby(b 19 April '41, Nashville TN; d 19 Nov. '92) Nashville-based country-pop songwriter with several big hits '60s--70s; singer with country and pop success. First song to make an impact was 'The Joker Went Wild', top 20 pop hit for Brian Hyland '66. Russell wrote 'Little Green Apples' for Roger Miller, top ten country hit '68 and crossed over to pop earning Russell a couple of Grammys; O. C. Smith turned the song into a bigger pop smash same year. 'Honey' was a no. 1 pop and country smash for Bobby Goldsboro. Russell signed to Elf Records and had minor country hits '69--70; then joined New York-based Bell Records; moved back to Nashville and linked with UA for pop-country hit 'Saturday Morning Confusion' '71; then on to Columbia '73. Married pop singer Vicki Lawrence who had a no. 1 with 'The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia' '73 (revived by Reba McEntire for country hit '92). Albums incl. Words, Music, Laughter And Tears '68 on Elf; Dial-a-Hit '69 on Bell; Saturday Morning Confusion '71 on UA. |