A cowboy singer and actor, Roy Rogers was one of the most popular Western stars of the twentieth century. Appearing in over one hundred films beginning in 1935, as well as numerous television and radio appearances, he became known as the “King of the Cowboys”. A glamorized version of the archetypal cowboy, he was the embodiment of the all-American hero to many.

 

Living on a farm with no radio, Roy’s family had to make their own entertainment when he grew up. On Saturday nights, they treated neighbors to square dances at which Roy would sing, play mandolin and call the dances. He also learned to yodel.

 

Roy was often joined by his wife, Dale Evans, known as “the Queen of the West”, whom he met on the set of The Cowboy and the Senorita, in his productions, as well as his regular co-stars, his famous golden palomino Trigger, which was known for his ability to do tricks.

 

Roy Rogers’ radio show ran for nine years before moving to television in 1951. Originally having a western music and variety format, the show later introduced storylines involving outlaws, tall tales or cliffhangers involving a deed to a ranch, but no matter what the story, there was always time for a light-hearted song or two.

 

The Roy Rogers Show, sponsored over the years by Post Cereals, Goodyear Tires, Quaker Oats and others was transcribed as Roy's contractual obligations precluded him from performing live. Roy, put a clause into his 1940 contract with Republic Pictures that gave him the right to his likeness, voice and name for merchandising. This opened the door for Roy Rogers action figures, novels, play-sets, a comic strip, a long-running Dell comic book series, lunch-boxes, folding knifes, cookie jars, cap guns, watches, and much more. Eventually, Roy Rogers was second only to Walt Disney in the amount of items featuring his name.

 

Listen to the Sparkling Audio Quality in Radio Archives restoration of The Roy Rogers Show, Volume 1.