Bo Donaldson
PMP Network Presents
Bo Donaldson, leader of Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods, reflects on his musical journey. He shares insights into the band's approach to songwriting and their collaborations with prominent songwriters of their era. Donaldson also touches on the business side of the music industry.
Singer
Bo Donaldson
of
Bo Donaldson
and
The Heywoods
About Bo Donaldson
Bo Donaldson served as keyboardist, vocalist, and bandleader of Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods, a Cincinnati-based group that achieved major success in the 1970s. The band's signature hit "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" reached number one in 1974, selling over 3.5 million copies. They toured extensively with acts including The Osmonds, Herman's Hermits, and Paul Revere & the Raiders, and appeared regularly on American Bandstand.
In this interview
- Recalls the band focused on selecting great songwriters rather than writing their own material
- Discusses covering prominent songwriters including Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil
- Mentions writing "I Wish I Could" as a TV theme for a Dick Clark special
- References upcoming conversation about Tommy James and music industry business practices
“I was just happy to get the best of the songwriters.”— Bo Donaldson, in this interview
Since this interview
Donaldson continued performing on nostalgia cruises and festivals through 2026. In 2026, he released a new album of covers titled "Have A Nice Decade" and performed on the '70s Rock and Romance Cruise alongside acts including America and Kansas.
