ROY ROGERS - KING OF THE COWBOYS & STILL IS!

ROY ROGERS

~ King of the Cowboys ~

Roy Rogers wasn't the gritty Matt Dillion of Gunsmoke, nor the rough tough Luke Slaughter, but we knew him for much more at the same time.

Roy Rogers rounded up cattle & cattle rustlers in his turquoise fringed western shirts & stylish cowboy boots & spurs.

He glamorized the portrayal of the American Cowboy from hat to boots & created a legend in the meantime. With his trick horse Trigger, his beautiful cowgirl, Dale Evans, his pet dog, Bullet, & Gabby his lifelong sidekick - he sung his way into our hearts with his lighthearted guitar melodies & winning smile.

Roy Rogers was born Leonard Franklin Slye on Nov. 5th, 1911 in Ohio.   He got his break as a young singer with the western music group Sons of the Pioneers & changed his name to Dick Weston.  In 1935 he appeared in his first film & continued working as a cowboy ever since.  Len Slye became Roy Rogers after Gene Autry temporarily walked off the set & the director needed a new star to help out.  Roy Rogers was born & was dubbed The King of the Cowboys.

Roy later met Dale Evan on the set of The Cowboy & the Senorita.  After the death of his first wife, he & Dale married & she was soon dubbed The Queen of the West.

In 1938 Roy purchased Trigger, his  golden palomino.  Trigger was use to productions already, but Roy trained & soon Trigger was dubbed The Smartest Horse in the Movies. Trigger knew 60 tricks & could walk 150 steps on his hind legs.  Trigger starred alongside Roy Rogers in about 87 movies & held a starring role in all The Roy Rogers Shows.

Roy's German Shepherd, Bullet was dubbed The Wonder Dog.  He played in most of the shows & often saved the day for Roy Rogers & Dale Evans.

His other sidekicks Gabby Hayes & Pat Brady were steady partners with him & helped represent an action western for the whole family to enjoy.

Roy Rogers & Dale Evans fame spread quickly among children fans & adult fans too. He marketed his image on everything from lunch boxes to watches.

The theme song Happy Trails was written by Dale Evans & performed in harmony with Roy Rogers.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, KEEP SMILIN' UNTIL THEN.

WHO CARES ABOUT THE CLOUDS WHEN WE'RE TOGETHER?

JUST SING A SONG & BRING THE SUNNY WEATHER.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, 'TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

There is so much that can be written about concerning Roy Rogers & Dale Evans.  This is but one part of their life that they shared with us.

Many knew them as good friends, family, brothers, sisters, mom, dad, etc ... This serves as a small reminder of a time when good always won & justice was always served.  Thanks Roy & Dale!

The Roy Rogers Show Opening

The information on the shows I review are compiled through various tv, cable programming news & related info resources. I have taken an interest in reviewing network shows that not only do I enjoy week to week, but that hold an intent & purpose to help change the world that we live in for the good. It is all about being the change I want to see in the world - today!