About Me
Born Leonard Franklin Slye at 412 Second Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Andy and Mattie Slye would be the proud parents of Leonard, Mary, Kathleen, and Cleda. When Leonard was only eight years old, his father purchased a farm in Duck Run, Ohio. Leonard spent his time on the farm dreamin of one day becoming a doctor to help the injured. It was this time when young Leonard discovered his love for music. When Leonard was 17 years old he joined his father working in the local U.S. Shoe Factory in Cincinnati. In the summer of 1930, the Slye family relocated to California, where Leonard held various jobs, including fruit picker and factory worker. He got his start in the music business with his cousin Stanley, playing at square dances and local theaters. Shortly after, Leonard met Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer, and the trio began to play together, calling themselves "The Rocky Mountaineers". During this time, Bob Nolan was to compose the famous "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds". The band went through various incarnations, performing as The International Cowboys, The O-Bar-O Cowboys, The Pioneer Trio and then the final forming of the Sons of the Pioneers, and even appearing in several motion pictures as a pioneer. Leonard would eventually meet a beautiful, young lady by the name of Arlene Wilkins in Roswell, New Mexico. On June 14, 1936, Leonard would stand up and take the vows that would make him a married man to Arlene Wilkins. Leonard Slye would land a spot in Hollywood with a movie contract with Republic Pictures on October 13, 1937. Leonard Slye would be forever known as Roy Rogers to the general public. Roy Rogers would go on to aquire a beautiful golden palomino he would name Trigger "The Smartest Horses in the Movie". Roy Rogers would share the screen with some of the most beautiful B-western leading ladies in Hollywood. Mary Hart, Penny Edwards, Jane Frazee, Pauline Moore, and the "Queen of the West" Dale Evans. The year 1944 would cast Roy Rogers alongside the beautiful Dale Evans in the motion picture The Cowboy and the Senorita. Roy Rogers had four children by the year of 1946. Cheryl, was adopted in 1941, Linda Lou was born in 1943, and Roy Jr, "Dusty" was born in 1946. On October 28, 1946 Roy Jr. was born to Roy and Arlene, due to circumstances of an embolism, Arlene Rogers passed away six days after the birth of the child. Roy Rogers would later find comfort and companionship in his leading lady, Dale Evans. On December 31, 1947, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans would eventually be married in Davis, Oklahoma. The Rogers family would grow over the years. The Rogers would adopt Mary Little Doe "Dodie", Harry John David Hardy "Sandy", Deborah Lee "Debbie", and Marion Fleming. Roy and Dale had only one biological child named Robin Elizabeth Rogers. Robin was a Down's Syndrome baby and was born on August 26, 1950 and only lived for two years before passing away. Tragic circumstances would strike in the Rogers family with the passing of Debbie and Sandy Rogers. Roy Rogers would produce over 90 movies and 100 t.v. shows during his career. From 1952-1957, Rogers starred in his own popular television series, The Roy Rogers Show, which also featured Dale Evans. The song “Happy Trailsâ€, written by Dale Evans, was the show’s theme song. Following a revamping, the show aired again as The "Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show" in 1962. For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Roy Rogers has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1752 Vine Street, a second star at 1733 Vine Street for his contribution to radio, and a third star at 1620 Vine Street for his contribution to the television industry. Roy and Dale were inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1976 and Roy was inducted again as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1995. Roy was also twice elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, first as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 and as a soloist in 1988. Roy Rogers died in Apple Valley, California, on July 6, 1998, of congestive heart failure.
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