Roy Rogers is one of those guitarists that was able to get right into the thick of the blues. playing and producing music with John lee Hooker, collaborating with singers like Bonnie Raitt, and becoming one of the more popular virtuoso slide guitarists of his time. From his interviews, he seems like the type of musician that has really done his homework, studying all the famous guitarists to come before him, and then blazed his own trail of guitar playing that is unlike any other. I respect a musician that can create his or her own destiny by creating the music he or she wants to create. I pulled a few videos featuring Roy Rogers, his great music, and a little bit of the history I was referred to with Robert Johnson. I hope you enjoy all the videos as much as I did!
Roy Rogers and Bonnie Raitt produced a song together called “Gnawin’ On It,” that took Bonnie pretty far in the music world. Check out the two performing the song together live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2nhFb1SAQ.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/W-2nhFb1SAQ” height=”420″ rel=”0″]
I really dug this next video because Roy is interviewed about the great Robert Johnson and it seems to me that he kept this information in mind as he was working on his own slide guitar chops. Plus there’s a great solo performance of “Ramblin’ On My Mind,” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsr6rn4TFbY.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/Wsr6rn4TFbY” height=”420″ rel=”0″]
Lastly, I wanted to share one of Roy’s own songs with his own band. Enjoy this live performance of “Terraplane blues,” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtfXb1zUF9E.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/mtfXb1zUF9E” height=”420″ rel=”0″]
I hope you dug all these videos as much as I did. Roy’s not only a great player, but an outstanding vocalist, songwriter, and producer. When you go shopping for your next album purchase, make sure to check out Roy Rogers. There’s more coming your way at Blues Guitar Unleashed, so stay tuned.
Thanks,
Griff
95 replies to "The Rock n’ Roll Blues Man Roy Rogers"
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The first time I saw Roy was October 28, 1991 at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis. My guitar instructor at the time was the warm-up act. I went to see him play. I’d never heard of Roy Rogers before that night. No internet back then, so you couldn’t just Google someone. I didn’t know it was him, but I’d seen Roy walking around during the warm-up band. Never dawned on me he was the guitar player that was about to blow me away. When he did come out on stage I still didn’t think he was the guitar player until he walked over and picked up his acoustic guitar. At the time I was really into electric blues and I remember thinking, “Oh S__t, he’s going to play some slow acoustic blues slide stuff….how boring”. And then he plugs in with the acoustic guitar and I realize he has a pickup on it and a stack of amps……AND a Leslie Revolving speaker, the one Hammond B3 players use. That’s the large black box right behind Roy in the third video above. He dives in and that amazing sound fills the room just like in the last video above. My jaw hit the floor along with just about everybody else’s in the room. Still gives me goosebumps. Go see this many live if you have the chance!
Hey, Griff — GREAT videos, thanks for sharing. BTW, it looks like your site is getting spammed…
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Yes, Roy Rogers is a very talented Artist; One need not listen long, to be certain of that! It’s hard not to appreciate the enthusiasm in his voice, when he shares his insights on Robert Johnson.
For instance, the “powerful quality” in his blues, coming from a technique which augments his superb rhythmic sense. That technique being, how he keeps rhythm while sliding in a cool lick. As Roy says …”he puts the ‘beat’ ahead or behind”… while playing the lick. There is something to be said for that…!
I’m quite sure that the boys from Liverpool, were oblivious to this, when they sang …”a backbeat – & you can’t lose it”! This is really one culture singing the songs of another. In the long run, however, they contribute through their own music, to the evolving of a new form of music, and the blending of the cultures. That’s not to say that, the Artist who penned those lyrics, didn’t have that ‘backbeat’ well in hand!
Now we’re talking about the birth of Rock & Roll. Never mind ‘talking’. Chuck was singing it into existence, right after writing it…”gimme some of that rock & rollin’ music”…with the”backbeat – & you can’t lose it”!!
No surprise, that the first song “The Stones” ever committed to vinyl, was, you guessed it;
Nothing less than a Chuck Berry penned, original. It was June of 1963, when they released their first single. “Come On”, written by Chuck Berry, of course.
Interesting how Roy explains, that the Robert Johnson “backbeat”, is the element in his blues, that gives it a certain ‘tension’. It’s the same element, he says, that makes it so powerful.
I think Mick and Keith would have to agree; That, that old “backbeat” had to have come from this side of the pond!
Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying that rock and roll arose from North America more so than from Europe. That would be like saying that Led Zepplin ain’t rock and roll. What I am saying is that the blues, on the other hand, most certainly did originate and evolve here.
Robert Johnson’s talent is, (deservingly so), far reaching! It is wonderful to see the blues still an important and driving force in modern music. And I love the way Roy Rogers plays the blues. It’s as if one of Robert Johnson’s finger’s got a hold of Roy’s hand. And if it hangs on and on, that’s alright, by me! I hope I didn’t bore you gentlemen,and ladies, with my ‘comment’. Merlin D.(BA)
site exceptionnel,dommage qu’in n’y ai pas de traduction française pour les cours.Eric
Amazing guitarist… amazing performance. I will definetly be looking this guy up! Thanks Griff
Hey
This is above magic Griff
Thanks Whistler
I dont know,it dont get better than that.thanx griff
Good vids, thanks
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing Griff. That was superb. Loved all 3 videos.
wow roy rodgers had heard of him but never listened to will for sure buy some soon awesome continuious playing while singing great for the ears but his fingering is awesome on the eyes
I got introduced to Rogers’ amazing playing back in the mid or late 1980s when I went to see John Hammond opening for John Lee Hooker & his band at a small club in Newport, RI. As a solo performer, I wanted to see how Hammond did opening for Hooker and his electric band on solo acoustic guitar & blues harp. Hammond got that juke joint jumping with his opening tune and it got hotter and hotter from there. Hammond ended up with a standing ovation and everyone wondering how Hooker could possibly take things any higher.
Hooker’s band opened up with an instrumental that got the place hopping again in no time – and it got better & better from there even though it was hard to imagine anyone being able to reach the high that Hammond got us all into. I remember Hooker introducing Roy Rogers and saying to myself “with a name like that this guy better play really good or he’ll end up being laughed off the stage everywhere he goes…”
Hooker had 2 lead guitarists in his band – Rogers on a small bodied Martin with DeArmond soundhole pickup and a super fast jazz player whose name I never remembered that sounded like he would have been better off in a fusion band. To make a long story short, Rogers stole the show and I have been a fan ever since. I never did find any studio recordings by Rogers that came even close to his explosive live performance with John Lee Hooker. That was some time ago. I will have to start looking through Rogers’ recordings since the 80s to see if there are any out there that capture his amazing talents. If any other fans have any suggestions, let me know what Rogers recordings I should check out.
THAT was awsome!! thanks for sharing.
I first saw Roy Rogers in a TV program about the Stratocaster. Loved his playing so much I bought a tape (it was a long time ago!) of his featuring his own compositions. His songs were pretty poor and it put me off him.
Thanks for re-awakening my interest.
Wow, What great guitar blues playing. Now I would love to purchase one of his albums after hearing this. Combining slides with blues the way he does and his high energy and accurate playing is very inspirational to me. Again, wow
I bet if he took that capo off he would still be pretty darn good………..
Griff,
Thanks so much for all your great posts! Before I knew who Roy was I got the
chance to experience Roy Rogers gift firsthand, sharing the stage with not only
the awesome Bonnie Raitt, but the legendary John Lee Hooker. I hope I never
forget that night, for it was shared with a personal legend, my own Uncle Don
who first introduced me to guitar and the blues. For all the top blues talent such
as these, there are many many more who though they didn’t become recognised
en masse, still managed to add to the music their own styles by playing in their
communities. Willie Brown comes to mind. Though many may have heard his
voice and playing as recorded on many of Charlie Patton’s and perhaps a few
Son House’s records, many many more blues fans have no idea. I recently
viewed the movie ‘Land where the blues began’ from Alan Lomax. The playing
of people like Sam Chatmon, R L Burnside and Jack Owens, is great, but there
are also clips by lesser known people like Sonny Boy Nelson and Belton
Sutherland who are awesome in their own right.
Keep keepin’ the Blues alive!
It’s not often that a guitarist inspires me as much as does Roy Rogers. He also gives me a new appreciation for Robert Johnston and the power unleashed by flying ahead and behind of the rythym. This is new motivation to practice.
Thank you so much, Mr. Hamlin. I discovered Roy some months ago on youtube. He’s really great. But, i think you may be like him. That good but not that well known. i think that may be a blessing actually. I love your “Sweet Home Alabama”, or whatever it’s called on youtube. I’ve listened to it many times. Your drummer and bass player are good too. Would like to see more of you and your band on utube. Thanks again.
Can you post the TAB for that one? 🙂
Wow. Dude has some serious fingers. Reminds me of Hendrix. Long and lean.
Thanks for posting these videos Griff. I injoyed them, and I had not heard Roy before,great blues man!!
I saw Roy at Sweetwater last night and he rocked the house like he always does. My ears are still ringing in 12 bar blues!
Great Videos Griff I really enjoyed it,so much talent there,makes me want to put the guitar back in the case an forget it lol
Thanks Griff, it’s not the first time I have listened to Roy and it won’t be the last. He is an amazing player and artist, he really puts his emotions into his performance.
Nice one, Griff! I’d never heard of this guy. I’ll be following up on that 🙂
Thanks
just about to pat myself on the back for my progress, thanks to your email lessons, and you toss Roy Rogers into the air! How long do you have to jam to be that good! thanks, I really enjoy these little tracks of owesome people I’ve never heard of, showing me knowledge has no end. Sam i am
wow he is awesome thanks for sharing with us hope to see more of theses videos
Wow !1 that blows away the dust!!
wow! what can i say???
griff do you know whether he is in open tuning or normal?
thanks for showing me another great guitar player, i am just going to go and bite my hands off!!!
regards,
roger.
Brilliant!
Thanks Griff, That was really cool.
Wow….awesome…
Thanks Griff for sharing
this guy smokes!
Have never really watched much slide guitar, would rather become accomplished playing normally first, but really enjoyed that, a good combination of both.
Roy did his best work with the late blues harpist Norton Buffalo. These two were awesome live-2 acoustic instruments, 2 very different vocal styles, and one unbelievably synergistic sound. Give a listen to their albums “Travellin’ Tracks” & “R&B”. I promise they will not disappoint! Got to see them live in Reno a couple of times and will not forget the shows anytime soon.
That boy can play some mean slide’ and guitar. thanks Griff!
Wow! That cat is doin’ stuff that three men can’t do!
He is soooo incredible. I’ve seen him play at the Doheny Blues Fest before. Thanks for sharing the videos. They are very inspiring. Just makes me want to play and play. Practice of course.
Viewing Mr. Rogers do his thing, put me in mind of the following anecdote:
At the height of his musical successes in America, and being by nature a perfectionist, George Gershwin seriously considered taking lessons from Maurice Ravel (“Bolero”), and in fact, travelled to Paris, France to meet Ravel, with the intention of asking Ravel, if he would consider taking him (Gershwin) on as a student.
On the day he finally met Ravel, at a cafe French artists and intellectuals frequented often, Ravel reportedly, said this to Gershwinl: “My dear Mr. Gershwin, I’m flattered that you would travel all this way to ask me to become one of my students…but why would you want to become a second-rate Ravel, when you’re already a first-rate Gershwin?”
Rogers’ admiration of Robert Johnson should be his “booster rocket”, that serves to propel him into the constellation of his own musical identity. Put another way, “…when you’ve got the message, hang up the phone!”
Tarquinnian
Absolutely blew me away! asked my lady a couple times “how come i’ve never heard of this guy?been listening to the blues (and playin them) for many years and heard a lotta really good players, but this guy is surely in a class by himself.thanks for bringing him to my attention.
Great stuff! I stumbled onto this on you-tube awhile back. Check out Mike Smith from D’Addario strings, and Seasick Dave(including one with John Paul Jones, of led zep fame, You’ll dig it if you like this style Mike has a couple “how to” videos on slide dobro.
WOW! The third video was absolutely awesome thanks, Griff
He has played lead behind John Lee Hooker for a lot of years of his career. It is good to see him playing on his own and with Bonnie. Thanks, Griff!
Hey I know Roy Rogers! played great music with Norton Buffalo!!
Good Sh-t
Great interview and his dissection of Robert Johnsons slide as incorporated in the rhythem not just a lead technique. Thanks Griff
I thoroughly enjoyed the “Terraplane Blues” video. Now if I could only slow it down enough to actually see what he is doing……..his left hand is a blur!
Great stuff Griff, thanks for sharing.
This guy will definitely be finding his way onto my iPod.
got sound no picture
I don’t know if this is motivation or depression. I would love to be able to play like that, but I know it ain’t going to happen in my lifetime. Great stuff!
Awesome videos Griff. Seems like he’s done alot of homework for such a young guy. Very professional. By all means please keep these videos coming to us.
Thanks again!
Roy is a great, previously unknown to me, blues player & a hell of a vocalists also!!
Thoroughly enjoyed all the videos, and will definetly be looking for more in the future.
Thanks so much for the introduction Griff.
Take care & keep em coming!!
Have been following Roy since the mid-70s’. His work with Norton Buffalo has been inspiring and a true testament to the blues…look for their work. “Travelin’ Tracks is a great album!
When you said Roy Rogers, first thing came to mind. I went to breakfast at a very famous resturante in Apple valley Ca. It was sunday and every one after church would go there. As a kid I loved watching his TV program. He was there in another room. I noticed he was done eating, so I went to tell him how i grew up watching his show. My first word was Mr. Rogers, before i could say another word he said , get away from me , you pest! Dale said how dare you bother us. Not my hero anymore. Now I lked the videos and Roy is assume. Was really hoping you had some more lessons to teach. Hope you and your family are doing well. Paul.
Thanks for posting these. Roy and Bonnie make a great pair. Roy lives in our neighborhood and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him play in some rather small settings. One in particular stands out: a New Years party w/ Roy his band and fellow playing an electrified stand up stringed harp. Wish I could remember his name. But blues on a harp was a special treat. Roy does have a unique take on slide. He’s and awesome guy.
Thanks for all your posted lessons. They’re a great addition to the Acoustic Blues CD’s I’ve been working on.
Simply INCREDIBLE ! Thanks Griff.
Well Roy was from my home town so I went all through high school watching him get his start in garage bands (as I was in several myself at the same time). I think we even played a battle of the bands against his band (and no doubt lost). I’ve seen him live a couple of times and told him “I’d say you’ve come a long way from our home town high school years”!
If anybody gets the chance to catch him live do it without hesitation. He likes playing the small venues. We are fortunate here in Northern California that he lives locally so we get the opportunity to see him often. He’s also a great guy to chat with, very friendly and open. So thanks Griff for turning those who didn’t know Roy on to him. He’s a true artist and musical genius.
Simply awesome
Thanks Griff, this guy is awesome!!
Definitely not your standard blues licks. He looks completely out of control and sounds hotter than a firecracker. Terraplane Blues is jaw dropping, great stuff.
How is it even possible to play like that….just mind-blowing!
Griff,
A simple “thank you” is not anywhere near enough for all the instruction and information you bring to your students on the guitar and the Blues. This guy Roy Rogers is one smokin’ dude. Fantastic.
Thanks Griff, Roy Rogers is Absolutely Fantastic.
Well,I never heard of him ,but wow he is great !
O.M.G. This is definately not the Roy Rodgers and(Dale Evans) I remember!!!!
thanks for that as others have said never heard of this guy to young to be riding trigger but he cant half play forby
I agree with FS Gilbert about the speed of the music. This guy is an amazing talent. Thanks for letting us in on it.
Thank you Griff for those great videos and Roy Rogers also for that great playing ,i would be happy just to come close to play a guitar like that .Keep that great music coming ,i enjoy it very much.I take a lot from your lessons Griff and i want to thank you so much and have a good weekend.
thanks for putting me on to roy ,will look for some of his cds.
I never heard of this Roy Rogers before…Thanx he is really terrific…Dick
Like I stated the other day, he just blows me away. Do you know what make and model guitar he is playing. Would really like to know as I am looking for a new ax to add to my playing collection and it would be real cool to know what he is playing it looks like a 30’s type martin but that is just a guess any help would be great. Thanks, Jim
Brings back memories of the 80’s when Roy played JJ’s Blues Cafe and Lounge
Mountain View, CA (closed) and San Jose, CA(still alive!) I did sound there then. These days I am the sound consultant for The Golden Gate Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge.
BTW Tanx Griff for all you do helping us jammers get better!
Deep inhale! And, blues is blues… don’t need to be slow to be the deal.
WOW that is some awesome guitar playing. I have a whole Robert Johnson collection, I think that this guy Roy Rogers is his equal or better. Thanks Griff.
Wow! Thanks so much for pointing me in this guy’s direction. I had no idea he existed. What a genius.
Wow!
Wow! Thanks
Thanks for sharing Griff. If I may partially quote you I don’t see how he can play that song the same way once. Simply amazing, I going to have to hear more.
great stuff!! never ever heard of roy rogers…other than dale evans…you know that roy!!
Saw him live @ Larry Blake’s in Berkeley with Norton Buffalo. WOW!
Griff
You really know how to keep things smokin. This Roy is a crazy man on the guitar. It’s amazing how much talent is out there. Thanks for keeping me on your list.
WOW!!!
Man you have done it again, inspirational makes me feel guilty I am not practicing now
I live in California and have heard Roy perform in concert many, many times! Always a smokin’ time! Love his slide playing and he’s a very personable and friendly guy. He has obliged me with my requests. I love his motto, “Chops, not Chaps!”
Griff,
Like Rory Bloc, John Hammond, and other acoustic Blues players, Roy Rogers seems to have a cult following. I have been with him from his start. His tracks with Norton Buffalo are super. He produced the Healer w/John Lee Hooker. He plays fast, but his playing never seems over the top. I do not think there are many sliders that could stay with him.
Cheers, Jim
As we say down here in my neck of the woods, Good God, Y’all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing that with us! You don’t get to that level in playing unless you you feel it in mind, body and soul. What a true artist……..
Many years ago I saw him play with John Lee Hooker at the old Antoine’s in Austin TX. He brought down the house.
Sure, he’s a great guitarist, but like so many today, he plays the blues way too fast. By doing that, one loses the poignant flavor of the song.
I enjoyed the clip. Thank you.
Really nice – thanks for posting, Griff!
Amazing what he does with that standard, short neck and kapo
love the clipps thanks Griff…….
Griff, Griff, Griff. I don’t know what to say. I have loved the ole delta blues my hole life. I have been a back porch picker for many many years. I have never developed my guitar playing, but know matter every time I play my heart and insides feel good. But for the first time I have heard a guitar player speak my emotions and feeling that I have longed to express through my own playing. Wow, as I watched and listened, I realized tears were rolling down my face. Man I never heard of him, Thank you so much for bringing him into my guitar life. Jim
Really nice…love it…play on….the Good