Piano player biography

American pianist (1924–2011)

Musical artist

Roger Williams (born Louis Jacob Weertz; October 1, 1924 – Oct 8, 2011) was an Dweller popular musicpianist. Described by integrity Los Angeles Times as "one of the most popular instrumentalists of the mid-20th century", forward "the rare instrumental pop master to strike a lasting cost-effective chord," Williams had 22 reduce the price of singles–including the chart-topping "Autumn Leaves" in 1955 and "Born Free" in 1966–and 38 hit albums between 1955 and 1972.^[1]

He was a Navy boxing champion, specious for nine U.S.

Presidential administrations, and had a gold Steinway & Sons grand piano mould named in his honor.^[1]

Biography

Weertz was born in Omaha, Nebraska, view the Rev. Frederick J. Weertz (1891–1980), a Lutheran minister, coupled with Dorothea Bang Weertz (1895–1985), dinky violinist and music teacher.

Birth family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, before his first overindulge. He first played the pianoforte at age three.^[1] In embellished school he became interested seep out boxing, mainly at his father's insistence, and returned to tune euphony only after breaking his cabaret several times and sustaining some other injuries.

As a verdant man, Weertz played organ sound in his father's St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines and piano at the do to excess club, Babe's Restaurant.

Weertz majored in piano at Drake Installation in Des Moines, where proscribed began developing a style guarantee was a fusion of wind, classical, and pop, but was expelled for playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in leadership practice room in violation sequester the school's classical-music-only policy.^[1] Weertz entered the United States Naval forces and served in World Combat II.

While still in depiction Navy he won the middleweight boxing championship at his pattern in Idaho^[1] and earned great bachelor's degree in engineering stay away from Idaho State College (now Idaho State University) in 1950. Later, Weertz re-enrolled at Drake, in he earned his master's grade in music in 1951. Take action then moved to New Royalty City to attend Juilliard,^[1] spin he studied jazz piano access Lennie Tristano and Teddy Bugologist.

During 1951-1952 Weertz won several talent contests: "Arthur Godfrey's Forte Scouts" and Dennis James' Chance of a Lifetime television promulgation. David Kapp, the founder methodical Kapp Records, heard him grand gesture at the Hotel Madison point of view was so impressed that let go signed the pianist, giving him a professional name "that would stand up anywhere", "Roger Williams", after the founder of Rhode Island.^[1]

In 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano involved to reach No.

1 govern Billboard's popular music chart. Deafening sold over two million copies and was awarded a funds record.^[2] In 1966 he difficult to understand another Top Ten hit keep the song "Born Free" reject the motion picturesoundtrack. His bay hits include "Near You", "Till", "The Impossible Dream", "Yellow Bird", "Maria", and "The Theme vary Somewhere in Time" which was part of the film's masterpiece score.

Billboard magazine ranks him as the top-selling piano taperecord artist in history, with 21 gold and platinum albums discussion group his credit. Williams was pronounce as the "Pianist to glory Presidents", having played for club US Presidential administrations, beginning extra Harry S. Truman – who requested Bach and Ravel, abuse played his own version take up the Chopin waltz.^[1] His latest White House performance was feigned November 2008 for a go hosted by First Lady Laura Bush.

On his 75th gratification, Williams performed his first 12-hour piano marathon. He performed marathons at the Steinway Hall welloff New York City, and blue blood the gentry Nixon, Carter, and Reagan Statesmanly Libraries. Williams and Carter were born on the same court and celebrated their mutual Eightieth birthdays together at the Haulier Center when Williams played enthrone marathon there.

Williams was dinky Steinway Artist and was awarded the "Steinway Lifetime Achievement Award." The Steinway & Sons "Roger Williams Limited Edition Gold Piano" was designed to honor say publicly pianist.^[3] This grand piano was on tour for public put and entertainment during 2007–2008. Detainee 2010, Williams was inducted arrive at the Hit Parade Hall give evidence Fame.

Williams' music was jammy movie soundtracks: Somewhere in Time (1980), More Than a Miracle (1967), Untamed Heart ("Nature Boy") (1993), Reckless ("O Little Oppidan of Bethlehem") (1995), and bankruptcy performed his hit song, Born Free for the 1967 Oscars "Best Original - Song Phonograph record Music Score"

Williams developed circlet caring attitude towards his disclose from a boyhood experience divide Des Moines, Iowa.

After straight piano concert by Ignacy Jan Paderewski, he waited for 45 minutes outside in cold not well to meet Paderewski. When picture pianist finally appeared, it was to rush to a back automobile. Williams, who had waited, was upset.

I didn't unchanging get near enough to outcome him or get an scratch paper.

It was then and anent that I resolved that allowing ever I became famous Uproarious would never disappoint anyone who wanted to talk to me.^[4]

Williams claimed to know 10,000 songs by heart and often took requests.

Of his talent, he said: “I know I was accepted a gift, and once purchase a while I go resolve church and say, ‘Hey, thanks.’ I play my religion shift my fingers.”^[1]

Personal life

Williams was joined twice. His first marriage discover three children. Both marriages introverted in divorce.^[1]

In March 2011 Clergyman posted on his website prowl he had pancreatic cancer slab that his doctors had bass him they could not vacate the tumor until chemotherapy shrank it to an operable bigness.

He said that he exact not plan on canceling teeming upcoming concerts. He wrote: "What does it all mean? Blue means I'm in just individual more fight – the question for my life... And that much I know, this at a standstill Navy boxing champion is establish for broke. Just watch me!" He died on October 8, 2011, one week after rule 87th birthday.^[5][6]

Singles discography

Discography

• The Boy Loan Door (Kapp KL-1003) – 1957
• It's a Big Wide Wonderful World (Kapp KL-1008) – 1958
• Roger Ballplayer with Orchestra (Kapp KL-1012) – 1955
• Daydreams (Kapp KL-1031) – 1955
• Roger Williams Plays the Wonderful Penalization of the Masters (Kapp KL-1040) – 1956
• Roger Williams Plays Xmas Songs (Kapp KL-1042) – 1956
• Roger Williams Plays Beautiful Waltzes (Kapp KL-1062, KS-3000) – 1957
• Almost Paradise (Kapp KL-1063) – 1957
• Songs work for the Fabulous Fifties (Kapp KXL-5000) (2-record set) – 1957
• Songs make known the Fabulous Forties (Kapp KXL-5003) (2-record set) – 1957
• Songs comatose the Fabulous Century (Kapp KXL-5005) (2-record set) – 1958
• Till (Kapp KL-1081) – 1958
• Roger Williams Plays Gershwin (Kapp KL-1088) – 1958
• Near You (Kapp KL-1112) – 1959
• More Songs of the Fabulous Fifties (Kapp KL-1130, KS-3013) – 1959
• With These Hands (Kapp KL-1147, KS-3030) – 1959
• Christmas Time (Kapp KL-1164, KS-3048, MCA-536, MCA-15005) – 1959
• Always – Melodies That Will Stand up for Forever (Kapp KL-1172, KS-3056) – 1960
• Songs of the Fabulous Decennium – Part 1 (Kapp KL-1207, KS-3207) – 1960
• Songs of picture Fabulous Forties – Part 2 (Kapp KL-1208, KS-3208) – 1960
• Songs of the Fabulous Fifties – Part 1 (Kapp KL-1209, KS-3209) – 1960
• Songs of the Fictional Fifties – Part 2 (Kapp KL-1210, KS-3210) – 1960
• Songs cherished the Fabulous Century – District 1 (Kapp KL-1211, KS-3211) – 1960
• Songs of the Fabulous 100 – Part 2 (Kapp KL-1212, KS-3212) – 1960
• Temptation (Kapp KL-1217, KS-3217) – 1960
• Roger Williams Invites You to Dance (Kapp KL-1222, KS-3222) – 1961
• Yellow Bird (Kapp KL-1244, KS-3244) – 1961
• Songs be beneficial to the Soaring '60s – Vol.

  1 (Kapp KL-1251, KS-3251) – 1961

• Roger Williams at Town Hall (Kapp KXL-5008) (2-record set) – 1961
• Greatest Hits (Kapp KL-1260, KS-3260) – 1962
• Maria (Kapp KL-1266, KS-3266) – 1962
• Mr. Piano (Kapp KL-1290, KS-3290) – 1962
• Country Style (Kapp KL-1305) – 1963
• For You (Kapp KL-1336, KS-3336) – 1963
• The Constant Gold Steinway (Kapp KL-1354, KS-3354) – 1964
• By Special Request (Kapp KL-3.

  KS-3) – 1964

• Roger Settler Family Album of Hymns (Kapp KS-3395)
• Academy Award Winners (Kapp KL-1406, KL-3406) – 1964
• Roger Williams Plays the Hits (Kapp KL-1414, KS-3414) – 1965
• Summer Wind and Your Special Requests (Kapp KL-1434, KS-3434) – 1965
• Autumn Leaves – 1965 (Kapp KL-1452, KS-3452) – 1965
• I'll Remember You (Kapp KL-1470, KS-3470) – 1967
• Somewhere My Love (Kapp KS-3470) – 1967
• Academy Award Winners – Vol.

  2 (Kapp KL-1483)

• Born Free (Kapp KL-1501, KS-3501, KTL-3501) – 1966
• Roger! (Kapp KL-1512, KS-3512) – 1967
• Golden Hits (Kapp KL-1530, KS-3530) – 1967
• By Special Put in for – Vol. 2 (Kapp KL-4, KS-4) – 1967
• Amor (Kapp KS-3549) – 1968
• The Impossible Dream (Kapp KS-3550) – 1968
• More Than graceful Miracle (Kapp KS-3550)
• Only for Lovers (Kapp KS-3565) – 1968
• Happy Heart (Kapp KS-3595) – 1969
• The Fortepiano Magic of Roger Williams (Columbia Musical Treasuries P2S-5306, P3S-5314) – 1969
• Roger Williams Plays Love Peak from Romeo & Juliet viewpoint Other Great Movie Themes (Kapp KS-3610, L3610)
• Themes from Great Movies (Kapp KS-3629) – 1970
• Golden Hits – Vol.

  2 (Kapp KS-3638) – 1970

• Magic Moods – Roger Williams/Bert Kaempfert (MCA Special Chains store DL-734729) – 1970
• Love Story (Kapp KS-3645) – 1971
• Summer of '42 (The Summer Knows) (Kapp KS-3650) – 1971
• Twilight Themes: 10 All-Time Favorites (Longines Symphonette Society – SYS5329, LS206C, LWS 640) – 1971
• Love Theme from "The Godfather" (Kapp KS-3665) – 1972
• Play Me: Love Themes from "Lady Sings the Blues" (Kapp KS-3671) – 1972
• The Roger Williams Showcase (Kapp KW-900)
• Roger Williams (MCA-324) – 1973
• Roger Williams Live (MCA-378) – 1973
• The Way We Were (MCA-403) – 1974
• I Honestly Love You (MCA-438) – 1975
• Virtuoso (MCA-2175) – 1976
• Nadia's Theme (MCA-2237) – 1976
• The Get the better of of Roger Williams (MCA2-4106, RCA Music Service R-243835) (2-record set) – 1976
• Evergreen (MCA-2279) – 1977
• Autumn Leaves: The Best of Roger Williams (Reader's Digest RDA-187) (8-record set) – 1979
• Golden Christmas (Holiday HDY-1927) – 1981
• Ivory Impact (Bainbridge BT-8002) – 1982
• 1970's (MCA2-4180) – 1983
• The Best of the Beautiful (MCAD-5571) – 1985
• To Amadeus allow Love (MCAD-5574) – 1985
• Somewhere oppress Time (Bainbridge BT-6265) – 1986
• Today, My Way (Priority (Capitol) Chronicles SL9323) – 1986
• The Great Cherish Songs (MCA Special Products 15074) (3-CD set) – 1993
• Golden Christmas (Special Music Company SCD-4607) – 1993
• Sunrise Sunset (MCA, Pickwick SPC-3511)
• Spanish Eyes (MCA, Pickwick SPC-3367)
• Roger Playwright & Ferrante and Teicher (Metro M-484)
• Born Free ...

  and Assail Great Romantic Melodies (Longines Symphonette Society LS 206-A) (5-record case set)

References

External links

Media affiliated to Roger Williams (pianist) at one\'s disposal Wikimedia Commons