When I was a boy, we either played Army or cowboys. Both involved guns. In our imaginary Army battles, we found long sticks to serve as makeshift carbines. When we played cowboys, there was only one choice of firearms. A set of Roy Rogers six-shooters in a leather holster with holes for the bullets. And it was always Roy Rogers and never Gene Autry because, after all, Roy Rogers was King of the Cowboys.
In his time, Roy Rogers was perhaps the most popular celebrity on the planet. He was my hero, for sure.
Roy was born in Ohio in 1911 under the name of Leonard Slye. You hardly ever hear of cowboys named Leonard, so he would late change his name to Roy Rogers, the last name in honor of Will Rogers.
Roy had a lot going for him. First, he could sing – and yodel. Second, he was an excellent horseman, and third, he had movie star good looks.
The famous cowboy began his career by calling square dances and singing in public. When his family moved to California in 1931, he would get a chance to showcase his talents. He first appeared on a radio program where he would sing and yodel.
Rogers appeared on a radio show called Midnight Frolic. His singing and yodeling caught the interest of a local music group called “The Rocky Mountaineers”. He sang with this group and several others, with mixed results.
His big break came in 1938 when he auditioned for a “singing cowboy” role for Republic Pictures. Rogers got the part and made his starring debut in 1938 in the film “Under Western Stars”. The movie was well received, and the rest is history.
Roy had his own radio show and banged out picture after picture. Next came television as he stared in The Roy Rogers Show, a western television series that portrayed Rogers as a cattle rancher who brought justice to the city. It was a show where the good guys always won out over the bad guys.
The show also featured his wife Dale Evans, along with his horse Trigger, and was hugely popular among viewers throughout the US. His sidekicks included Smiley Burnette, George Hayes, and Pat Brady, who were acclaimed by the audience as well.
Rogers was also a shrewd businessman endorsing everything from six-shooters to pajamas. Later in his career, he would open a chain of Roy Rogers Restaurants. There are still about 50 of those restaurants in operation.
Roy Rogers, though a mega-star, remained humble throughout his life, donating his time and resources to many worthy causes.
Roy passed away on July 6, 1998, with Dale Evans at his side. He was 86 years old, and he was most definitely King of The Cowboys.