Roy Head (born Roy Kent Head; January 9, 1941 – September 21, 2020) was an American singer and performer from Three Rivers, Texas. He became widely known in the 1960s for his raw, energetic delivery and for recording a popular single titled "Treat Her Right". Head's sound drew on a mix of styles — including elements of rockabilly, rhythm and blues, soul, and later country — which helped him cross regional and genre boundaries.
Early life and career
Head grew up in South Texas and launched his music career in local clubs and venues. He performed with a backing band, often billed as Roy Head and the Traits, and developed a reputation for a powerful stage presence and vigorous dancing. His early recordings captured a gritty vocal approach that suited both uptempo rockers and soulful ballads.
Musical style and recordings
Head's work is noted for its blend of styles rather than adherence to a single genre. Characteristics often cited include a strong, raw voice, rhythmic drive, and charismatic delivery. While "Treat Her Right" remains his best-known record, his catalog also reflects shifts toward country and soul during a long performing career. He recorded for several regional labels and toured extensively in the United States.
Impact and notable facts
- He is remembered for energetic live shows and an assertive stage persona.
- His crossover approach enabled airplay on diverse radio formats in the 1960s and beyond.
- Artists and audiences have cited his version of popular standards and R&B-tinged rock as influential in regional music scenes.
Later years and death
In later decades Head continued to perform, often revisiting his signature material while also exploring country-oriented projects. He spent much of his life in Texas. Roy Head died of a heart attack on September 21, 2020, in Montgomery County, Texas; contemporary accounts of his death are available via local and national reports (see source).
His legacy endures mainly through live recordings and reissues that document a performer who bridged rock, soul and country traditions and whose single "Treat Her Right" introduced his vigorous style to a wide audience.