Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods

[Borderstone]

Anyone fondly or even recall Bo & Co.'s "Billy Don't Be A Hero" ?

...or their other 2 hits "Who Do You Think You Are?" or "Heartbreak Kid" ?

I do of course but I wondered how many here might know them or recall.

I just found out 2 weeks ago that "Bo" shares the same birthdate as me. June 13th. Except he's like 15 years older than me or more.

That's why "Billy...." went to #1 on my birthday in 1974!!

[Jim Nasium]

Billy Don't Be A Hero was written by a couple of Brits, I think, Mitch Murrey & Peter Callender, the song was recorded here in the UK by Paper Lace, it got to No 1, but before it could be released in the US Bo Donaldson recorded it, Paper Lace's version hit No 96 in the US, Bo Donaldson never charted in the UK. Mitch Murrey wrote the first 2 hits that Gerry & The Pacemakers had here, How Do You Do It & I Like It, both got to No1, on the back of the great success The Beatles were enjoying.

Talking of cover versions doing better than the original, Dionne Warwick had a problem with Anyone Who Had A Heart, a big hit for her in the US, but Cilla Black recorded it here and had a No 1, much to Dionne's disgust. The link between The Beatles, Gerry & Cilla, all from Liverpool all managed by Brian Epstein. A bit of useless info. Now gonna see if I can find Bo's version of Billy on You Tube.

[Cathy]

I remember Billy Don't Be A Hero. When it was on the charts my younger sister played it constantly. She was in junior high, and had her first serious crush on a boy named Billy. She wore the 45 out by continiously playing it... and playing it... and playing it...

Cathy

[Jim Nasium]

Just found Bo's version on You Tube, with the comment "The GOOD version not that Paper Lace piece of crap." Yer pays yer money yer takes yer choice. As we say in this neck of the woods.

[Borderstone]

I knw it's been a month (been busy) but did any of you recall their other hits?

Just wondering.

[BILLW]

Sorry B that's the only one of their songs on my iPod. A few days after I enlisted in the USMC and after a long, long night of celebrating same I picked up the phone in the morning only to hear my sister sing almost the whole darn thing.

Most folks at the time thought it was about Vietnam but it was actually set in the American Civil War. Almost as good as "My Girl Bill"...

Bill