Billy Don't Be a Hero Billy Don't Be a Hero "Billy Don't Be a Hero" is a 1974 pop song that was first a UK hit for Paper Lace and then, some months later, a US hit for Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. The song was written and composed by two British songwriters, Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. Because the song was released in 1974, it was associated by some listeners with the Vietnam War, though the war to which it actually refers is never identified in the lyrics. It has been suggested that the drum pattern, references to a marching band leading soldiers in
Billy T. James which occurred. Both Peter Rowley and James' daughter criticised the inaccuracies of the production in the press. A documentary entitled "Billy T: Te Movie" was released theatrically in August 2011. Directed by Ian Mune, it proved popular with both theatre-goers and reviewers, becoming the week's top box office performer on the week of release with $263,000 in sales. "Te Movie" is now available on DVD. In 2011, Peter Rowley wrote and starred in "Billy T & Me", a one-man show which combined Rowley's memories of working alongside Billy with archival video footage. The show toured New Zealand and was made