More Info on Roy RogersSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
For|other meanings of "Roy Rogers"|Roy Rogers (disambiguation)Infobox musical artist| name = Roy Rogers| image = RoyRogersperformingKBF.jpg| caption = Rogers performing at Knott's Berry Farm | birth_name = Leonard Franklin Slye| birth_date = Birth date|1911|11|5|mf=y| birth_place = Cincinnati , Ohio , United States|USA | death_date = Death date and age|1998|7|6|1911|11|5| death_place = Apple Valley, California , USA| spouse = Lucille Ascolese (1933–1935) Grace Arline Wilkins (1936–1946) Dale Evans (1947–1998)| years_active = 1932–1998| genre = Country music|Country | instrument = Vocals, guitar| associated acts = The Sons of the Pioneers | website = http://www.royrogers.com/ royrogers.com| occupation = Actor, singer| background = solo_singer Roy Rogers , born Leonard Franklin Slye (November 5, 1911 & ndash; July 6, 1998), was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain. He and his wife Dale Evans , his golden palomino , Trigger (horse)|Trigger , and his German Shepherd dog , Bullet, were featured in more than 100 movies and The Roy Rogers Show . The show ran on radio for nine years before moving to television from 1951 through 1957. His productions usually featured a sidekick , often either Pat Brady (who drove a Jeep called "Nellybelle"), Andy Devine , or the crotchety George "Gabby" Hayes . Rogers's nickname was "King of the Cowboys" . Evans's nickname was "Queen of the West."
Biography
Early life
Ref improve section|date=September 2010Leonard Franklin Slye was born to Andrew ("Andy") and Mattie (Womack) Slye in Cincinnati , Ohio , where his family lived in a tenement building on 2nd Street. ( Riverfront Stadium was constructed at this location in 1970 and Leonard would later joke that he had been born at second base.) Dissatisfied with his job and city life, Andy Slye and his brother Will built a 12-by-50-foot houseboat from salvage lumber, and, in July 1912, the Slye family floated on the Ohio River towards Portsmouth, Ohio . Desiring a more stable existence in Portsmouth, the Slyes purchased land on which to build a home, but the flood of 1913 allowed them to move the houseboat to their property and continue living in it on dry land.
In 1919, the Slyes purchased a farm in Duck Run, located near Lucasville, Ohio about 12 miles north of Portsmouth. There they built a six-room home. Leonard's father soon realized that the farm alone would provide insufficient income for his family, so he took a job at a shoe factory in Portsmouth. He lived there during the week and returned home on the weekends, bearing gifts for the family following paydays. One notable gift was a horse on which Leonard learned the basics of horsemanship.
After completing the eighth grade, Leonard attended high school in McDermott, Ohio . When he was 17, his family returned to Cincinnati, where his father began work at another shoe factory. He soon decided on the necessity to help his family financially, so he quit high school, joined his father at the shoe factory, and began attending night school. After being ridiculed for falling asleep in class, however, he quit school and never returned.
Leonard and his father felt imprisoned by their factory jobs. In 1929, his older sister, Mary, moved to Lawndale, California with her husband. Father and son decided to quit their shoe factory jobs. The family packed their 1923 Dodge for a visit with Mary and stayed four months before returning to Ohio . Almost immediately afterward, Leonard had the opportunity to travel to California with Mary's father-in-law, and the rest of the family followed in the spring of 1930.
The Slyes rented a small house near Mary. Leonard and his father immediately found employment as truck drivers for a highway construction project. They reported to work one morning, however, to learn their employer had gone bankrupt. The economic hardship of the Great Depression had followed them west, and the Slyes soon found themselves among the economic refugees traveling from job to job picking fruit and living in worker campsites. (He would later read John Steinbeck 's The Grapes of Wrath and marvel at its accuracy.) One day, Andy Slye was told of a shoe factory hiring in Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles and asked Leonard to join him in applying there for work. Leonard, having seen the joy that his guitar and singing had brought to the destitute around the campfires, hesitantly told his father that he was going to pursue a living in music. With his father's blessing, he and cousin Stanley Slye went to Los Angeles and sought musical engagements as The Slye Brothers.
In 1932, Leonard, now known as "Len," met Lucille Ascolese while on tour. That same year, a palomino colt was foaled in Santa Cietro, CA, named "Golden Cloud", and later renamed "Trigger" in 1938 after he was acquired by Roy. In May 1933, Len, 21, proposed to Lucille, 19, via a radio broadcast. Len then went on tour with the "O-Bar-O Cowboys" and in June 1933 met Grace Arline Wilkins at a Roswell, New Mexico radio station. She traded Len a lemon pie for his singing "Swiss Yodel" over the air. By August 1934, Len and Lucille had separated as she was reportedly jealous and tired of being a musician's wife. Len and Lucille's divorce was granted on May 28, 1935, and became final on June 8, 1936. Having corresponded since their first meeting, Len and Grace Arline Wilkins were married in Roswell, New Mexico, on June 11, 1936.
In 1941, the couple adopted a girl, Cheryl Darlene. Two years later, Arline bore a daughter, Linda Lou.
Rogers and Arline had a son, Roy Jr. ("Dusty") in 1946, but Arline died of complications from the birth a few days afterward on November 3. Rogers had met Dale Evans in 1944 when she was cast in a movie with Rogers. Following Arline's death, Rogers and Evans soon fell in love, and Rogers proposed to her during a rodeo at Chicago Stadium . They married on New Year's Eve in 1947 at the Flying L Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma|Davis , Oklahoma , where a few months earlier they had filmed Home in Oklahoma . Rogers and Evans remained married until Rogers's death in 1998.Phillips, 13-15
Career
Leonard Slye moved to California to become a singer. After four years of little success, he formed the Sons of the Pioneers with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer (singer)|Tim Spencer , a Western Music (North America)|Western cowboy music group, in 1934. The group hit it big with songs like " Cool Water " and " Tumbling Tumbleweeds ". From his first film appearance in 1935, he worked steadily in Western movie|western films , including a large supporting role as a singing cowboy while still billed as "Leonard Slye" in a Gene Autry movie. In 1938, when Autry temporarily walked out on his movie contract, Slye was immediately rechristened "Roy Rogers." Slye's stage name was suggested by Republic Picture's staff after Will Rogers and the shortening of Leroy. and assigned the lead in Under Western Stars . Rogers became a matinee idol and American legend. A competitor for Gene Autry as the nation's favorite singing cowboy was suddenly born. In addition to his own movies, Rogers played a supporting role in the John Wayne classic Dark Command (1940). Rogers became a major box office attraction. In the Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars poll, Rogers was listed for 15 consecutive years from 1939 to 1954, holding first place from 1943 to 1954.cite book|last=Hardy|first=Phil|title=The Encyclopedia of Western Movies|year=1984|publisher=Woodbury Press|location=Minneapolis, MN|isbn=978-0830004058 He appeared in the similar Box Office poll from 1938 to 1955, holding first place from 1943 to 1952. (In the final three years of that poll he was second only to Randolph Scott.) cite web|url= http://www.b-westerns.com/terms5.htm |title=Motion Picture Herald and Boxoffice Polls |publisher=B-westerns.com |date= |accessdate=October 31, 2011 Although these two polls are really an indication only of the popularity of series stars, Rogers also appeared in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll of all films in 1945 and 1946. http://www.quigleypublishing.com/MPalmanac/Top10/Top10_lists.html Top Ten Money Making Stars. Quigley Publishing. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
Rogers was an idol for many children through his films and television shows. Most of his postwar films were in Trucolor during an era when almost all other B-movie s were black-and-white. Some of his movies would segue into animal adventures, in which Rogers's horse Trigger would go off on his own for a while, with the camera following him.
With money from not only Rogers' films but his own public appearances going to Republic Pictures, Rogers brought a clause into a 1940 contract with the studio where he would have the right to his likeness, voice and name for merchandising.Phillips, 38 There were Roy Rogers action figure s, cowboy adventure novels, and playset s, as well as a comic strip, a long-lived Dell Comics comic book series ( Roy Rogers Comics ) written by Gaylord Du Bois , and a variety of marketing successes. Roy Rogers was second only to Walt Disney in the amount of items featuring his name.Enss/Kazanjian, 132 The Sons of the Pioneers continued their popularity, and they have never stopped performing from the time Rogers started the group, replacing members as they retired or passed away (all original members are deceased). Although Rogers was no longer an active member, they often appeared as Rogers' backup group in films, radio, and television, and Rogers would occasionally appear with them in performances up until his death. In August 1950, Evans and Rogers had a daughter, Robin Elizabeth, who had Down Syndrome and died of complications with mumps shortly before her second birthday. Evans wrote about losing their daughter in her book Angel Unaware .
Rogers and Evans were also well known as advocates for adoption and as founders and operators of children's charities. They adopted several children. Both were outspoken Christian s. In Apple Valley, California , where they made their home, numerous streets and highways as well as civic buildings have been named after them in recognition of their efforts on behalf of homeless and handicapped children. Rogers was an active Freemason and a Shriner , and was noted for his support of their charities.
Rogers and Evans's famous theme song, " Happy Trails (song)|Happy Trails ", was written by Evans; they sang it as a duet to sign off their television show. In the fall of 1962, the couple co-hosted a comedy-western-variety program, The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show , aired on American Broadcasting Company|ABC . It was cancelled after three months, losing in the ratings to The Jackie Gleason Show on Columbia Broadcasting Company|CBS . He also made numerous cameo or guest appearances on other popular television shows, starring as himself or other cowboy-type characters, such as in an episode of Wonder Woman (TV series)|Wonder Woman called " List of Wonder Woman episodes|The Bushwackers ".cite web|url= http://www.thewb.com/shows/wonder-woman/pilot-the-new-original-wonder-woman/b6dad16f-4e16-41f0-8534-590f88ef6c44 |title=Wonder Woman : Pilot: The New Original Wonder Woman |publisher=Thewb.com |date= |accessdate=October 31, 2011 Rogers also owned a Hollywood production company which handled his own series. It also filmed other undertakings, including the 1955-1956 CBS western series Brave Eagle starring Keith Larsen as a young peaceful Cheyenne chief, Kim Winona as Morning Star, his romantic interest, and the Hopi Indian Anthony Numkena as Keena, Brave Eagle's foster son.
In 1968 Rogers licensed his name to the Marriot corporation, which converted its Hot Shoppes locations to Roy Rogers Restaurants, with which Rogers otherwise had no involvement.
Rogers owned a Thoroughbred horse racing|racehorse named Triggairo , who won 13 career races including the 1975 El Encino Stakes at Santa Anita Park .cite web|url= http://www.pedigreequery.com/triggairo |title=Triggairo Horse Pedigree |publisher=Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database |date= |accessdate=October 31, 2011
Death
Rogers died of congestive heart failure on July 6, 1998. Rogers was residing in Apple Valley, California at the time of his death. He was buried at Sunset Hills cemetery in Apple Valley.Flippo, Chet. http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1439193/02082001/rogers_roy.jhtml Dale Evans, Queen Of The West, Dead At 88 last access February 22, 2007.
Homages and influence
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Rogers has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1752 Vine Street, a second star at 1733 Vine Street for his contribution to radio, and a third star at 1620 Vine Street for his contribution to the television industry. Rogers and Evans were inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , in 1976 and Rogers was inducted again as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1995. Rogers was also twice elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame , first as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 and as a soloist in 1988.
Rogers was mentioned in the Lyle Lovett single "If I Had A Boat", and Elton John's 1973 album " Goodbye Yellow Brick Road " contained the escapist ballad "Roy Rogers".
In the 1988 film Die Hard , the Bruce Willis character John McClane used the nom de guerre of "Roy", saying "I was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually".
American Dad character Roger uses "Roy Rogers" as a pseudonym in the episode " Roy Rogers McFreely ".
Cheryl Rogers Barnett, a daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, has written with Frank Thompson; Cowboy Princess: Life with My Parents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans .cite book|last=Rogers-Barnett|first=Cheryl|title=Cowboy Princess: Life With My Parents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans|year=2003|publisher=Taylor Trade Pub.|location=Lanham Md.|isbn=1-58979-026-X|edition=1st Taylor Trade Pub. ed.|coauthors=Thompson, Frank
Filmography
col-begincol-break
Slightly Static (1935) (uncredited) .... Member of Sons of the Pioneers
The Old Homestead (1935) (as Leonard Slye) .... Sons of the Pioneers
Way Up Thar (1935) (as Leonard Slye) .... Band Member
Gallant Defender (1935) (uncredited) .... Nester (Sons of the Pioneers)
The Mysterious Avenger (1936) (as Len Slye) .... Musician Len
Alias Jesse James (1959) (uncredited) .... Roy Rogers
Mackintosh and T.J. (1975) .... Mackintosh
Col-end
Discography
Charted albums
Year
Album
Chart Positions
Label
US Country
US
1970
The Country Side of Roy Rogers
40
—
Capitol
1971
A Man from Duck Run
34
—
1975
Happy Trails to You
35
—
20th Century
1991
Tribute
17
113
RCA
Charted singles
Year
Single
Chart Positions
Album
US Country
CAN Country
1946
"A Little White Cross on the Hill"
7
—
Singles only
1947
"My Chickashay Gal"
4
—
1948
"Blue Shadows on the Trail" (Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers)
6
—
"(There'll Never Be Another) Pecos Bill" (Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers)
13
—
1950
"Stampede"
8
—
1970
"Money Can't Buy Love"
35
—
The Country Side of Roy Rogers
1971
"Lovenworth"
12
33
A Man from Duck Run
"Happy Anniversary"
47
—
1972
"These Are the Good Old Days"
73
—
Single only
1974
"Hoppy, Gene and Me"A
15
12
Happy Trails to You
1980
"Ride Concrete Cowboy, Ride" (Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers)
80
—
Smokey & the Bandit II (soundtrack)
1991
"Hold on Partner" (w/ Clint Black )
42
48
Tribute
A"Hoppy, Gene and Me" also peaked at #38 on the RPM (magazine)|RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart in Canada.
Music videos
Year
Video
Director
1991
"Hold on Partner" (with Clint Black )
Jack Cole
Popular songs recorded by Rogers
" Don't Fence Me In (song)|Don't Fence Me In "
"Hold That Critter Down"
"Little White Cross On The Hill"
"One More Ride"
"Ride Ranger Ride"
"That Pioneer Mother Of Mine"
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"
"Way Out There" (singing and yodeling)
"Why, Oh Why, Did I Ever Leave Wyoming? "
"Hold On Partner" (duet with Clint Black )
See also
commons
Roy Rogers Restaurants
Roy Rogers cocktail
Earl W. Bascom , cowboy artist who worked with Roy Rogers
http://www.RoyandDale.com Roy Rogers' 100th Birthday 2-Disc Commemorative Collection
Notes
Reflist
References
cite book|last=Rogers|first=Roy|last2=Evans|first2=Dale|last3=Stowers|first3=Carlton|title=Happy Trails: The Story of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans|year=1979|publisher=Word Books|location=Waco, Texas|isbn=0-8499-0086-7
cite book|last=Enss|first=Chris|last2=Kazanjian|first2=Howard|title=The Cowboy and the Senorita: A Biography of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans|year=2005|publisher=TwoDot|location=Guilford, CT|isbn=9780762738304|edition=1st
cite book|last=Phillips|first=Robert W.|title=Roy Rogers : A Biography|year=1995|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, NC u.a.|isbn=0-89950-937-1
Zwisohn, Laurence. (1998). "Roy Rogers". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music . Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp.& nbsp;456–457.
External links
IMDB name|id=0001678|name=Roy Rogers
http://www.royrogers.com/ Official family website
http://www.comics.org/search.lasso? query=Roy+Rogers& type=character& sort=chrono& Submit=Search Database and Cover gallery of Roy Rogers comic book appearances
http://www.royrogersranch.com/ Roy Rogers Ranch
http://www.captainerniesshowboat.com/royrogers Interview with Delores Chapman who had a bit part with Roy Rogers in North of the Great Divide
http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/? cid=161323 Profile at Turner Classic Movies
IBDB name|58220
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/inductees.aspx? cid=163 Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
http://www.underdogblues.com/dusty/dusty.htm Dusty Rhoads: Cowboy Bassist and vocalist who toured with Roy Rogers; original member of the Whippoorwills
http://www.ilovecomixarchive.com/R/Roy-Rogers I Love Comix Archive: Roy Rogers
http://www.somacc.com The Ackerman Collection of Historical Photographs
http://www.triggerandbullet.com/ RFD-TV Trigger and Bullet Happy Trails Tour
http://www.royanddale.com/ The Dale Evans Project
http://www.archive.org/search.php? query=subject%3A%22Roy%20Rogers%22/ Public domain Roy Rogers media at Internet Archive
Persondata | NAME = Rogers, Roy | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = American singer and film actor | DATE OF BIRTH = November 5, 1911 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Cincinnati , Ohio , United States|USA | DATE OF DEATH = July 6, 1998 | PLACE OF DEATH = Apple Valley, California , USA DEFAULTSORT:Rogers, Roy Category:1911 births Category:1998 deaths Category:Actors from Cincinnati, Ohio Category:Musicians from Ohio Category:American country singers Category:American film actors Category:American male singers Category:American Presbyterians Category:American racehorse owners and breeders Category:American television actors Category:Cardiovascular disease deaths in California Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Category:Deaths from congestive heart failure Category:People from Portsmouth, Ohio Category:Western (genre) film actors Category:Yodelers Category:Decca Records artists Category:RCA Victor artists Category:Bell Records artists Category:Vocalion Records artists Category:20th-century actors
