Jimmy rogers biography honeycomb background

American singer (–)

Not to be confused with Jimmie Rodgers (country singer) or Prize Rogers.

Musical artist

James Frederick Rodgers (September 18, – January 18, ) was an American pop chorister. Rodgers had a run try to be like hits and mainstream popularity bolster the s and s.

string of crossover singles grade highly on the Billboard Extend Singles, Hot Country and Exaggeration Sides, and Hot Rhythm paramount Blues Sides charts; in character s, Rodgers had more honest successes with adult contemporary air.

He was not related trigger country music pioneer Jimmie Motto. Rodgers (–), who died nobility same year the younger Composer was born.

Among country audiences, and in his official songwriting credits, the younger Rodgers, Jimmie Frederick, was often credited pass for Jimmie F. Rodgers to deduce the two.

Career

Early years

Rodgers was born in Camas, Washington.^[1] Pacify was the second son wear out Archie and Mary Rodgers.^[2] Composer was taught music by climax mother, a piano teacher,^[3] opinion began performing as a babe, first entertaining at a Christmastime show when he was inimitable five.^[1] He learned to exert the piano and guitar, roost performed locally.

After attending Camash High School, he briefly took courses at Clark College magnify Vancouver, Washington.^[2] He later went to work at the Maximum Zellerbach paper mill in Quamash. Although he loved music, good taste was uncertain whether he could turn it into a occupation. He was subsequently drafted accept served in the United States Air Force during the Asian War.^[4]

s

While in the Air Operational, Rodgers joined a band known as The Melodies started by musician Phil Clark.

During his work, he was transferred to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was stationed at Sewart Air Force Pattern from to ^[5] It was during this time that without fear began expanding his musical retelling. While he was in Nashville, he first heard "Honeycomb", leadership song that became his lid hit.^[4]

Like a number of all over the place entertainers of the era, crystal-clear was one of the sphere on Arthur Godfrey's talent fair on CBS television, winning $^[6] Producers Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore saw Rodgers perform bracket signed him to a milieu contract with Morris Levy's deportment, Roulette Records.

In the season of , Rodgers recorded sovereign version of "Honeycomb", written make wet Bob Merrill and recorded harsh Georgie Shaw three years earlier.^[7] The tune was Rodgers' cardinal hit, staying on the break in proceedings of the charts for twosome weeks. It sold over 1 million copies,^[8] and was awarded a gold disc by nobleness RIAA.^[9] Over the following day, he had a number be fitting of other hits that reached class top 10 on the charts: "Kisses Sweeter than Wine"; "Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again"; "Secretly"; and "Are You In fact Mine?".

Other hits include "Bo Diddley", "Bimbombey", "Ring-a-ling-a-lario", "Tucumcari", "Tender Love and Care (T.L.C)", pointer a version of Waltzing Matilda as a film tie-in become infected with the apocalyptic movie On dignity Beach in

In the Affiliated Kingdom, "Honeycomb" reached number 30 in the UK Singles Index in November , and "Kisses Sweeter than Wine" climbed amplify number 7 the following month.^[10] Both "Kisses Sweeter than Wine" and "Oh-Oh, I'm Falling response Love Again" were million sellers.^[9]

The success of "Honeycomb" earned Composer guest appearances on numerous character programs during , including rectitude "Shower of Stars" program, hosted by Jack Benny, on Oct 31, ,^[11] and the Copious Record with Patti Page, less important December 4, ^[12] Rodgers too made several appearances on dignity Ed Sullivan Show, including lane September 8, , when stylishness was seen by 48,,, goodness largest television audience of reward entire career,^[13] and November 3, ^[14] In , he attended on NBC's The Gisele Explorer Show.

Also in , elegance sang the opening theme motif of the film The Progressive, Hot Summer, starring Paul Archpriest, Joanne Woodward and Orson Welles.^[15] He then had his holiday short-lived televised variety show plus NBC in ^[16]

s

In , Rodgers' "Wreck of the John B" was a number 1 eminence in Canada, and reached Ham-fisted.

64 on the His mere hit of the decade din in the UK was "English State Garden", a version of birth folk song "Country Gardens", which reached number 5 in representation chart in June ^[10] House , he moved to picture Dot label, and four length of existence later to A&M Records. Good taste also appeared in some pictures, including The Little Shepherd exhaustive Kingdom Come and Back Entranceway to Hell, which he helped finance.

In , a unconventional dry spell ended for Composer when he re-entered the Answer 40 with "It's Over" (later to be recorded by Roll Arnold, Elvis Presley, Glen Mythologist, Mason Williams, Scott Walker, build up Sonny James). In , explicit changed record labels, signing observe A&M Records.^[17] It was account that label that Rodgers esoteric his final charting Top celibate, "Child of Clay", written dampen Ernie Maresca (of "Shout!

Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" fame).^[18] Elegance performed the song on a number of television variety shows, including The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,^[19] nevertheless it never became a copious hit; it reached number 31 on the Billboard charts.

Later career

Recovery from injuries sustained concealment on a highway in caused an approximately year-long period reclaim which Rodgers ceased to bring off.

Meanwhile, his voice was come to light being heard: Several of wreath earlier hits were used impede jingles in the s, give someone a tinkle for SpaghettiOs and another provision Honeycomb breakfast cereal.^[5] And Rodgers' songs continued to make decency Billboard Country and Easy Attentive charts until During the summertime of , he made organized brief return to network around with a summer variety agricultural show ^[20] on ABC (which late bought the rights to Rodgers' Dot Records releases, now infamous by Universal Music Group).

Continuous was not until the exactly s when he began involvement some limited live appearances arrival. Among the earliest was systematic series of shows in recent February he performed at Harrah's Reno Casino Cabaret.^[3] He along with performed a few shows pride other cities, including at copperplate nightclub named Mister Days top Fort Lauderdale, Florida in retiring ^[21]

Rodgers appeared in the videocassette Rock & Roll Graffiti mass American Public Television, along siphon off about 20 other performers.^[22] Still, he gave "Honeycomb" a magic, and he mentioned that misstep had a show in Branson, Missouri.

Rodgers returned to rule hometown of Camas, Washington intricate and , performing to double-cross crowds.^{[citation needed]} In , monarch neighbors successfully got a narrow road named after him, in integrity neighborhood where he grew up.^[22]

Head injuries

On December 1, , Composer suffered traumatic head injuries make something stand out the car he was on the go was stopped by an off-duty police officer near the San Diego Freeway in Los Angeles.

He had a fractured go and required several surgeries.^[23] Early reports in the newspapers attributed his injuries to a stick with beating with a blunt gadget by unknown assailants.^[24] Rodgers difficult to understand no specific memory of extravaganza he had been injured, recollect only that he had abandonment blindingly bright lights from precise car pulling up behind him.^[25]

A few days later, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) designated that off-duty LAPD officer Archangel Duffy (at times identified thorough the press as Richard Duffy) had stopped him for changeable driving, and that Rodgers challenging stumbled, fallen and hit crown head.

According to the guard version, Duffy then called make public assistance from two other team, and the three of them put the unconscious Rodgers bounce his car and left decency scene.^[26] That account was endorsed by the treating physicians, who had first blamed the rocker fracture on a beating nevertheless, by the latter part outline December, they concluded that Composer had in fact fallen captain that had caused his injuries.^[27]

Lawsuits

The following month, Rodgers filed barney $11 million lawsuit against character City of Los Angeles, claiming that the three officers abstruse beaten him.^[28] The police soar the L.A.

County District Counsellor rejected these claims, although birth three officers (identified in illustriousness press as Michael T. Duffy, 27; Raymond V. Whisman, 29, and Ronald D. Wagner, 32)^[29] were given two-week suspensions financial assistance improper procedures in handling depiction case, particularly their leaving grandeur injured Rodgers alone in potentate car.

(He was later be too intense by a worried friend.)^[30][31] Duffy had had a previous four-day suspension for using unnecessary force; he had used a cooperate on a juvenile.^[30][31]

The three personnel and the LA Fire distinguished Police Protective League filed spruce up $13 million slander suit despoil Rodgers for his public statements accusing them of brutality.^[32]

Neither add came to trial; the constabulary slander suit was dropped, captain in Rodgers elected to dissipate a $, settlement from rectitude Los Angeles City Council, which voted to give him honesty money rather than to bring upon the costs and risks fall foul of further court action.^[33] Rodgers person in charge his supporters still believe wander one or more of goodness police officers beat him, though other observers find the bear witness inconclusive.^[34] In his biography Me, the Mob, and the Music, singer Tommy James wrote dump Morris Levy, the Mafia-connected sense of Roulette Records, had hard the attack in response break down Rodgers' repeated demands for remaining royalties he was due toddler the label.

All of Rodgers' most successful singles had antediluvian released by Roulette, who were notorious for not paying their artists for their record sales.^[35]

In , Raymond Virgil Whisman, distinct of the three officers who were alleged to have molested Rodgers, was arrested for assaulting his wife and threatening preempt kill her.

The arrest occurred after sheriff's deputies stormed dominion house after being informed go off he was holding his old woman at gunpoint. Deputies found 11 rifles, four shotguns, and fold up handguns in the home. Whisman was charged with two counts of assault and two counts of making terroristic threats.^[36]

Publication

In , Rodgers wrote and published authority autobiography, Dancing on the Moon: The Jimmie Rodgers Story.^[6]

Personal life

Rodgers and his first wife Damsel (née McClatchey) divorced in , and she died May 20, ^[37] They had two progeny, Michael and Michele.

He esoteric remarried in , and Jimmie and Trudy Rodgers had figure sons, Casey and Logan. Without fear and Trudy divorced in righteousness late s, and he remarried again. Jimmie and Mary Composer were still married when noteworthy died, and they have systematic daughter, Katrine, who was foaled in

Rodgers suffered from paroxysmal dysphonia for a number fend for years and could hardly chewy.

After a concert, he requited home for open heart treatment, following a heart attack fair enough had suffered three weeks before.

Rodgers died from kidney affliction on January 18, , assume the age of ^[38]

Discography

Albums

Singles

s

s

• ^A"Tomorrow Pump up My Friend" also peaked reduced #28 on RPM Adult Contemporary.

s

Films

Rodgers parlayed culminate singing fame into a transient movie career with lead business in:

Jimmie sang the expose titled "Half Sung Song" dainty the comedy film The Figure up Dollar Hobo, starring Tim Conway.

Television

TV appearances included performances spreading American Bandstand, Kraft Music Hall, and Hootenanny, as well in that the following:

• Hee Haw&#;— Yourself (2 episodes, November 25, , and November 3, )
• The Martyr Burns Show&#;— Himself; Jimmie Composer Moves in with Ronnie (1 episode, March 3, ).

  As Jimmie Rodgers moves in interest Ronnie, the apartment is off guard overrun with pretty young cortege, so a jealous Judi curves to George for help.^[39]

• The Microphone Douglas Show&#;— Himself (2 episodes, May 15 and May 21, )
• The Merv Griffin Show&#;— In the flesh (1 episode, May 5, )
• The Andy Williams Show&#;— Himself (1 episode, January 24, )
• House Party, a.k.a.

  Art Linkletter's House Party&#;— Himself (1 episode, August 24, )

• The Ford Show, Starring River Ernie Ford&#;— Himself (Several formality, –)
• Sunday Showcase, aka NBC Piece-goods e freight Showcase&#;— The Jimmy Durante Show ()&#;— Himself (1 episode, )
• The Steve Allen Show, a.k.a. Rank Steve Allen Plymouth Show (U.S.: new title)&#;— Himself&#;— Singer (2 episodes, Nos /&#;— –)
• Toast have a high regard for the Town, a.k.a.

  The Ready to drop Sullivan Show&#;— Himself (4 episodes, Nos. //11/18/&#;— –)

• The 30th Annually Academy Awards ()&#;— Himself&#;— Performer
• Shower of Stars&#;— Himself (1 stage, Comedy Time&#;— )
• The Jimmie Composer Show TV Series, a.k.a. Carol Burnett Presents the Jimmie Composer Show

In the mids, he re-recorded (with altered tunes and contents referring to the products) connect of his best-known songs, lay out use in television advertisements:

References

External links