Brother Roy Rogers
Bro Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye on the 5th November 1911 he was an American singer, actor television host and rodeo performer nicknamed “The King of the Cowboys”. He appeared in almost 90 films, as well as numerous episodes of his self-titled radio program for nine years. Between 1951 and 1957, he was the host of The Roy Rogers Show television series. In many of them, he appeared with his wife, Dale Evans; his Golden Palomino, Trigger; and his German Shepherd, Bullet. Rogers is best remembered for his signature song "Happy Trails". His early roles were uncredited parts in films by fellow singing cowboy Gene Autry. His productions usually featured a sidekick, often either Pat Brady, Andy Devine, George "Gabby" Hayes, or Smiley Burnette. Bro Rogers was the only country singer to be inducted twice into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Alongside Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, and Tony Martin, he's the recipient of four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; the latter of which was honoured with the band mentioned above. In his later years, he lent his name to the franchise chain of Roy Rogers Restaurants, Rogers died of congestive heart failure on July 6, 1998, aged 86, in Apple Valley, California. He was buried at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley. Bro Rogers was a member of Hollywood Lodge No. 355, a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Los Angeles and Al Malaikah Shrine Temple.
