The Greatest Singing Cowboy- During the early days of cinema and radio, one of the most popular series was that involving the old west. The greatest overall cowboy is a discussion for another day as our topic is who was the greatest singing cowboy? While there were a handful of singing cowboys the two most popular were Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. So as we begin to determine who was the greatest, let’s examine each in a little more detail.
Roy Rogers
Birth/Death: Cincinnati, OH 1911-1998
Real Name: Leonard Slye
Signature Song: “Happy Trails”
Horse Name: Trigger
Sidekicks: Pat Brady, Andy Devine, Gabby Hayes
Nickname: “King of the Cowboys”
Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: 3
Height: 5’ 10’’
Roy Rogers had the clean cowboy look that you could only find in Hollywood. He had the kind of face that when he smiled his eyes would disappear and on screen used this feature to his advantage. He was born Leonard Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio. An odd place for a cowboy to have his roots but there is no doubt that he could ride and shoot with the best of them. There is also no doubt that a name change was in order so he used the name of his dentist and became Roy Rogers. He made over a hundred movie, radio and television appearances. All singing cowboys need a great sidekick and he had Gabby Hayes who is probably one of the most well remembered. His horse, “Trigger”, is probably one of the most well known equines to this day. He loved his horse so much that he had it stuffed when it died in the 60’s. He also had his cinema dog “Bullet” stuffed when it died. His wife, Dale Evans, outlived him so we don’t know if he would have had her stuffed after she passed. This might have been an interesting conversation piece to say the least. “Hey, check out my favorite horse, dog and wife over in the corner!”. Or perhaps, “would someone dust off Dale, she is looking a little grubby!”. Evans did contribute to Roy’s popularity by writing his signature song “Happy Trails”. The term still lives on as a sort of see you later response. He had a pleasant voice and sang the typical songs to win the girl in each film. He was often backed up by the singing group “Sons of the Pioneers” in which, prior to the movies, he was a member. Rogers popularity really took off when Gene Autry served in World War II. Prior to that, Rogers was always voted as the second most popular cowboy. He did his part for the war by making the rounds, Bob Hope style, providing shows for the troops. He was a sharp business man and made a deal with the studio to receive a cut on any commercial items with his image or voice. This included such things as lunchboxes, toy figures, pictures, comics, etc. He had a special code called the “Riders Club Rules”. This basically included all the good things a cowboy should and shouldn’t do (Be neat and clean, be courteous, go to Sunday school, etc). He has three stars on the Hollywood walk of fame which is very impressive. A deeply religious man, he appeared often with his wife on the TBN network in his later years. After retirement, he bought most of Southern California. He did have a museum in California but after trying to reach a larger audience by moving to Branson, Missouri it failed and eventually folded in 2009.
Gene Autry
Birth/Death: Tioga, TX 1907-1998
Real Name: Orvon Autry
Signature Song: “Back in the Saddle”, “Here comes Santa Claus”
Horse Name: Champion
Sidekicks: Pat Buttram, Smiley Burnette
Nickname: “Americas Favorite Cowboy”
Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: 5
Height: 5’ 9’’
Gene Autry was not your typical Hollywood cowboy. He wasn’t long and lean in the saddle and sort of resembled a family member’s uncle. What he did have was a great screen presence and somehow, despite not having the chiseled features, he captivated audiences. Of course he also could ride, shoot and sing so he had that going for him. He was born Orvon Autry in Tioga, Texas. So this did give him some credibility from a cowboy roots perspective. Of course Orvon would be an odd movie name so he chose Gene instead…good choice. Orvon Autry doesn’t quite flow off the tongue as well as Gene Autry. Autry had solid sidekicks with Pat Buttram and Smiley Burnette but they are arguably not household names. Like Rogers, he made over a hundred movie, radio and television appearances. Autry’s famous horse was “Champion”. It should be noted that these horses were really well taken care of although Autry did not choose to have his horse or any of his wives stuffed upon their deaths. Gene’s signature song was “Back in the Saddle Again”. This is not really connected to the Aerosmith song in case you are wondering. Probably his most popular and well known song is the holiday tune “Here Comes Santa Claus” which believe it or not he wrote. His performance of the song made it to number 9 on the pop charts in 1947 and is for the moment stuck in a constant loop in my head. So Autry wasn’t exactly Tony Bennett but he was commercially more successful than his rival. Autry had the first cowboy code which was oddly enough called the “Cowboy Code”. Now Autry’s rules had more to do with what a cowboy should do on screen as opposed to Roy’s good living tips. Things like never shoot first or hit a smaller man, go back on his word, keep himself clean in thought and speech, etc. I think Clint Eastwood broke all of these rules within 20 minutes in the first Fistful of Dollars movie. Prior to World War II, Autry was consistently voted as the number one cowboy. He did decide to do his part for the war and flew supply missions in China. He certainly didn’t take the easy way out as he was way past the draft age being nearly 40 years old. It is reported that he was the only flight officer allowed to wear cowboy boots. I personally think that is pretty awesome. He did distinguish himself and was awarded several medals. He did however loose a little Hollywood traction when he returned from the war but was still very popular in film and television up until his retirement. Autry was also a savvy business man and, while he didn’t control rights to his image, he did end up saving money and buying most of Southern California (The parts that Roy hadn’t bought already). He even purchased the MLB LA/California Angels. He ended up selling his shares to Disney in 1996 but the Angels retired his “number” in 1992. The number is 26 and this has to do with an MLB roster being 25 men and Autry representing the next best thing to a player. I know this is a little complicated but pretty special none the less. He is also the only person with 5 stars on the Hollywood walk of fame. In his later years he loved his baseball team and did the occasional appearances. He outlived his first wife who died in 1980 and the next year he married his banker who happened to be 34 years younger than him. I suppose he was living his motto of back in the saddle and perhaps chose the youngest saddle he could find.
Conclusion
So who was the greatest singing cowboy? Well I hate to take the easy way out but I am not sure that there is a definitive clear cut answer. Both had a very successful run and made what were very popular films. Both made enough money to buy most of Southern California. I think in the end it is sort of like choosing whether a Hershey or Nestle candy bar is the best. You might have a personal preference for one over the other, but in the end either will satisfy your desire.
In a strange bit of irony, both men died only a few months apart. I think it is somewhat fitting that an end of an era would conclude at roughly the same time. The singing cowboy is now a thing of the long-ago past. I guess the sentimentalist in me hopes that they both men died with their boots on. This would only be fitting in the end…right?
Random Thoughts
First and foremost I want to thank our Veterans on this special weekend. This country would not be what it is today without your contributions and sacrifices. I have only the greatest respect for anyone who has served in the military. I could never master the art of climbing a rope and always imagined a scene out of an Officer and a Gentleman with a drill sergeant screaming at me. Something like "Salisbury Steak you are pathetic!". Which I would respond "But I just want to fly jets!". In any event, to all my friends and family a heart-felt thank you!
So in today’s sports, it is quite easy to fire coaches and general managers. I think that is fine and is clearly warranted at times but what about owners? Many times coaches and GM’s fail because ownership doesn’t give them the tools (money) necessary to be successful. As fan’s, are we not sort of like stockholders supporting our team and therefore shouldn’t we have the right to vote an owner out? I know who I would vote out right now if I were given the chance. Having said that, I wouldn’t limit it to the owner…but I digress.
In keeping with this week’s theme, how great and useful were cowboy hats? They kept the sun or rain off your head. They could be used to gather and drink water out of for both the cowboy and their trusty horse. It is one of those rare situations were necessity created the fashion.
Notable recent deaths- Did you hear about these?
Andy Rooney (Commentator) – Complications after surgery. Died November 4, 2011. Born January 14, 1919. Long-time CBS journalist who did a great deal of “wondering”. He was with CBS for 33 years and died weeks after his retirement.
Joe Frazier (Boxer) –Liver Cancer. Died November 7, 2011. Born January 12, 1944. Heavyweight champion of the world who eventually lost the title to Muhammad Ali. He was a participant in one of the best fight titles ever: “The Thrilla in Manilla”.
New to Netflix Instant Stream:
The Hulk-Starring: Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly
I Spy-Starring: Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson (A total disgrace to a great and groundbreaking 60’s series)
Enough-Starring: Jennifer Lopez
Panic Room-Starring: Jodie Foster, Kristen (Pre-twilight)Stewart
The Mothman Prophecies- Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney
A Knight’s Tale-Starring: Heath Ledger
Girl, Interrupted-Starring: Winona(I like to shoplift) Ryder, Angelina Jolie
Hanging Up-Starring: Meg Ryan, Diane Keaton
The Peacemaker-Starring: George Clooney, Nicole Kidman
In the Name of the Father-Starring: Daniel Day Lewis
Red Hill-Starring: Ryan Kwanten
Gnomeo & Juliet-Starring: voices of Emily Blunt, Sir Michael Caine
Rabbit Hole- Starring: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart
Insidious-Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne
Final Quote
I will finish, as usual, with a quote:
“The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure.” –Albert Einstein
Be careful out there! Peace!
No comments:
Post a Comment