Singer-songwriter Joe South, who wrote the hits “Games People Play” and “Down in the Boondocks” in the 1960s and '70s, has died. He was 72.
South, whose real name was Joseph Souter, died Wednesday at his home in the Atlanta suburb of Buford, Ga., according to the Lowery Group, which published his music. A spokesman said South died of heart failure.
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South also wrote the Grammy-nominated “(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden.”
South was in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
He was top notch session guitarist and played on Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” and albums by Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins.