Whatever became of the famous late 60's performer BOBBY GENTRY?

Question

Her most famous hit song from around 1968 or so was ODE TO BILLY JOE that was eventually made into a well known 1976 film that starred Robby Benson.

I wonder whatever became of her and why she gave up being a singer? She looked really beautiful.

Answer 1

I remember that movie...OMG, has it been that long, I was like 10 years old when that movie came out. Anyway, Bobbie Gentry retired from show business when her song "He Did Me Wrong, But He Did It Right" failed to chart. Her last public appearance as a performer was on Christmas night 1978, as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
After a second marriage, to fellow singer/songwriter Jim Stafford, ended in 1979 after only 11 months, Gentry gradually receded from public view, retiring from performing and eventually settling in Los Angeles. She has deliberately remained out of the limelight ever since.

You're absolutely right she really did look beautiful. It would be interesting to see her now, and see what shes been up to all those years.

If you hit the following link, it will take you to an interesting message board, supposedly from Bobbie's 1st cousin. It's interesting.....enjoy!

buh bye now,
Panterita

http://p209.ezboard.com/fodetobobbiegentryfrm2.showMessage?topicID=3.topic

Answer 2

After a short career as a Las Vegas showgirl, Gentry moved to Los Angeles, attended UCLA (where she was a philosophy major) and worked clerical jobs while occasionally performing in local nightclubs. She later transferred to the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music to hone her composition and performing skills.

Her last public appearance as a performer was on Christmas night 1978, as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She has deliberately remained out of the limelight ever since.

Answer 3

Her last known public performance was in 1978 on the "Tonight Show", most accounts have her as retired from show business and residing somewhere in Southern California. BTW, "Ode To Billie Joe" was a double #1 in August 1967 (pop & country charts), & one of the biggest singles of '67.

Answer 4

I loved that song growing up! Bobbie Gentry is indeed very talented, but I'm pretty sure she's retired from the music world.

An interesting side note, though, Jill Sobule is a really big admirer and wrote a song called "Bobbie Gentry."

Answer 5

She supposedly moved to a farm outside L.A. where she does writing for screenplays,since her retirement in 1978 from music.

Answer 6

Here's some information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobbie_Gentry#Rise_to_fame