The song "Ode to Billie Joe" was written and recorded by Bobbie Gentry, a
singer-songwriter from Chickasaw County, Mississippi. It became a number-
one hit in the U.S., and a big international seller. Billboard ranked the record
as the No. 3 song for 1967. The song is ranked #412 on Rolling Stone‘s list
of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It also generated eight Grammy
nominations, resulting in three wins for Gentry and one win for arranger
Jimmie Haskell.

Bobby Gentry in Capitol Studio C, Hollywood, CA.

Bobby Gentry (Roberta Lee Streeter) will be 72
on July 27.