Meta description: Bobbie Gentry biography covers her Mississippi childhood, 1967 hit “Ode to Billie Joe,” Grammy wins, variety shows, and retirement, with 10 facts and key dates.
Who Is Bobbie Gentry?
Bobbie Gentry is an American retired singer-songwriter and one of the first female artists in America to compose and produce her own material. She was born Roberta Lee Streeter on July 27, 1942, and is 84 years old. She rose to international fame in 1967 with the Southern Gothic narrative “Ode to Billie Joe.”
What Are the 10 Key Facts About Bobbie Gentry?
Bobbie Gentry has 10 key biographical facts:
- Bobbie Gentry was born Roberta Lee Streeter on July 27, 1942, near Woodland in Chickasaw County, Mississippi.
- She gave 1944 as her birth year in interviews.
- She was raised on a farm in Chickasaw County by her paternal grandparents.
- She moved to California at age 13.
- She took the stage name Bobbie Gentry from the film “Ruby Gentry.”
- She signed with Capitol Records on June 23, 1967.
- “Ode to Billie Joe” spent 4 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- She won Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1968.
- She charted 11 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
- She lost interest in performing in the late 1970s.
Where Was Bobbie Gentry Born and Raised?
Bobbie Gentry was born and raised in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. She was born on her family’s farm near Woodland. She attended elementary school in Greenwood, Mississippi. She composed her first song at age 7, after her grandmother traded a milk cow for a neighbor’s piano. She taught herself guitar, banjo, and bass.
What Education Did Bobbie Gentry Receive?
Bobbie Gentry completed secondary school in California and studied at UCLA. She graduated from Palm Valley School in 1960. She then attended UCLA as a philosophy major and worked clerical jobs while performing in local nightclubs.
How Did Bobbie Gentry Become Famous?
Bobbie Gentry became famous in 1967 through a demo tape. She took a demo of “Mississippi Delta” and “Ode to Billie Joe” to music publisher Larry Shayne, who played it for Capitol Records executive Kelly Gordon. Capitol first planned “Mississippi Delta” as the A-side, then switched to “Ode to Billie Joe” after a string arrangement by Jimmie Haskell was added.
The single sold 3 million copies, and the album of the same name topped the country and pop charts. The album replaced a Beatles album at the top of the charts.
What Is “Ode to Billie Joe” About?
“Ode to Billie Joe” is a Southern Gothic narrative about a family’s reaction to the death of a local man, Billie Joe McAllister. Gentry said listeners focused on the wrong detail, because the song centers on how casually the family discussed the event at the dinner table. Artists who covered the song include Sinéad O’Connor, Tammy Wynette, Patti Smith, and Ike and Tina Turner.
What Other Albums and Projects Did Bobbie Gentry Release?
Bobbie Gentry released 5 notable projects after her first hit:
- “The Delta Sweete,” a complex album built on Mississippi Delta imagery.
- “Bobby Gentry and Glen Campbell,” a duet album.
- “Fancy,” the single that became her biggest hit since “Ode to Billie Joe.”
- “The Bobbie Gentry Happiness Hour,” a CBS summer variety show in 1974.
- A 1976 re-recording of “Ode to Billie Joe” for the film “Ode to Billy Joe.”
She also performed variety shows on the Las Vegas Strip.
Who Is Bobbie Gentry’s Husband?
Bobbie Gentry’s marriages include casino entrepreneur Bill Harrah and singer-songwriter Jim Stafford. Her marriage to Harrah lasted only briefly. She had one son, Tyler, with Stafford.
What Honors Has Bobbie Gentry Received?
Bobbie Gentry has received 3 major honors:
- Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1968.
- Grammy Hall of Fame induction of “Ode to Billie Joe” in 1999.
- Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame induction in December 2008.
What Are the Key Dates in Bobbie Gentry’s Life?
Table 1 lists 10 dated events in Bobbie Gentry’s biography. Columns show the date, the event, and the category.
| Date | Event | Category |
|---|---|---|
| July 27, 1942 | Birth near Woodland, Mississippi | Personal |
| 1960 | Graduation from Palm Valley School | Education |
| 1964 | Recording debut with duets alongside Jody Reynolds | Career |
| June 23, 1967 | Signing with Capitol Records | Career |
| 1967 | “Ode to Billie Joe” reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 | Release |
| 1968 | Grammy wins for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance | Honor |
| 1974 | Hosting of “The Bobbie Gentry Happiness Hour” on CBS | Career |
| 1976 | Re-recording of “Ode to Billie Joe” for the film | Release |
| 1999 | Grammy Hall of Fame induction of “Ode to Billie Joe” | Honor |
| December 2008 | Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame induction | Honor |
People Also Ask
What is Bobbie Gentry’s real name?
Bobbie Gentry’s birth name is Roberta Lee Streeter.
Where is Bobbie Gentry from?
Bobbie Gentry is from Chickasaw County, Mississippi.
How old is Bobbie Gentry?
Bobbie Gentry is 84 years old, born on July 27, 1942.
What is Bobbie Gentry best known for?
Bobbie Gentry is best known for her 1967 song “Ode to Billie Joe.”
Is Bobbie Gentry retired?
Yes, Bobbie Gentry is a retired singer-songwriter.
Who wrote “Ode to Billie Joe”?
Bobbie Gentry wrote “Ode to Billie Joe” and produced her own material.
Why Is Bobbie Gentry Known as a Singer-Songwriter and “Ode to Billie Joe” Artist?
Bobbie Gentry is known for 3 reasons: writing and producing her own material, the 1967 No. 1 hit “Ode to Billie Joe,” and 2 Grammy wins in 1968. Her career moved from a Mississippi farm to Capitol Records, television variety shows, and retirement in the late 1970s.