ROGER WILLIAMS R.I.P. (1924 -2011)

Roger Williams (born Louis Weertz, October 1, 1924 -- October 8, 2011), was an American popular music pianist. As of 2004, he had released 116 albums, This is his hit version of "Theme to Exodus"
He was born to a Lutheran minister (Rev. Frederick J. Weertz) and a music teacher (Dorothea Bang Weertz), in Omaha, Nebraska. The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, before his first birthday. He first played the piano at age three. In high school he became interested in boxing, mainly at his father's insistence, and only returned to music after breaking his nose several times and sustaining several other injuries.He majored in piano at Drake University in Des Moines, but claimed he was expelled for playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in the practice room.In 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard's popular music chart.[1] While many other recordings have been made of this song, Williams' version is easily the best known and most played. It sold over two million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[4] In 1966 he had another Top Ten hit with the song "Born Free" from the motion picture soundtrack.

His other hits include "Near You", "Till", "The Impossible Dream", "Yellow Bird", "Maria", and "The Theme From Somewhere In Time". Billboard Magazine ranks him as the top selling piano recording artist in history with 18 gold and platinum albums to his credit.

Williams is also known as the "Pianist to the Presidents" having played for nine administrations beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last White House performance was in November 2008 for a luncheon hosted by former First Lady Laura Bush.

Still a popular draw with audiences long into his life, Williams performed concerts around the country and headlined Las Vegas each year.

Williams invites the audience backstage to visit him at all concerts. His interest in the public stems from a boyhood experience in Des Moines, Iowa. After a piano concert by the Polish genius Ignacy Jan Paderewski, young Roger waited for 45 minutes outside in the freezing cold to meet his idol. When the pianist finally appeared it was to rush to a waiting automobile. "I didn't even get near enough to touch him or get an autograph," says Williams. "It was then and there I resolved that if ever I became famous I would never disappoint anyone who wanted to talk to me."

On his 75th birthday, Williams performed his first 12 hour piano marathon. He has performed the marathon at Steinway Hall in New York City and the Nixon, Carter and Reagan Presidential Libraries. With no planned program, Williams plays hundreds of requests from the thousands who file in to hear him.

His Steinway & Sons "Gold Steinway"grand piano has been on tour for public display and entertainment during 2007--2008.

In 2010 Roger Williams was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• roger
• williams
• dead
• death
• tribute
• r.i.p.
• dies
• passed
• away
• pianist
• yt:stretch=16:9
• theme
• to
• exodus
• eas
• listening
• sad
• Death (personification)
• music
• song

[MADWORLD1427]

@SilentJoe13 it has been a sad year, Sydney Lumet, Elizabeth Taylor, Amy Winehouse, Kenneth Mars, Nick Ashford, Bubba Smith, Jeff Conaway, Peter Falk, Betty Ford, Ryan Dunn, Clarence Clemons, Andrew Gold, James Arness, Michael Sarrazin, Pheobe Snow, Michael Gough, and Nate Dogg

..among others have passed, will do a end of year tribute to them all, thanks Joe!

[SilentJoe13]

Damn. The last half of 2011 is starting to end on a sad note. Steve Jobs, Charles Napier, Frances Bay, Jani Lane, Cliff Robertson, Andy Whitfield, now Roger Williams. 2011 Sucks