Roger Williams (pianist)
Roger Williams (born Louis Jacob Weertz; October 1, 1924 – October 8, 2011) was an American popular music pianist. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the most popular instrumentalists of the mid-20th century", and "the rare instrumental pop artist to strike a lasting commercial chord," Williams had 22 hit singles–including the chart-topping "Autumn Leaves" in 1955 and "Born Free" in 1966–and 38 hit albums between 1955 and 1972.[1]
Roger Williams
Louis Jacob Weertz
(1924-10-01)October 1, 1924
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
October 8, 2011(2011-10-08) (aged 87)
Encino, California, U.S.
1955–2011
He was a Navy boxing champion, played for nine U.S. Presidential administrations, and had a gold Steinway & Sons grand piano model named in his honor.[1]
Personal life[edit]
Williams was married twice. His first marriage produced three children. Both marriages ended in divorce.[1]
In March 2011 Williams posted on his website that he had pancreatic cancer and that his doctors had told him they could not remove the tumor until chemotherapy shrank it to an operable size. He said that he did not plan on canceling any upcoming concerts. He wrote: "What does it all mean? It means I'm in just one more fight – the fight for my life... And this much I know, this old Navy boxing champion is going for broke. Just watch me!" He died on October 8, 2011, one week after his 87th birthday.[5][6]
The Boy Next Door (Kapp KL-1003) – 1957
It's a Big Wide Wonderful World (Kapp KL-1008) – 1958
Roger Williams with Orchestra (Kapp KL-1012) – 1955
Daydreams (Kapp KL-1031) – 1955
Roger Williams Plays the Wonderful Music of the Masters (Kapp KL-1040) – 1956
Roger Williams Plays Christmas Songs (Kapp KL-1042) – 1956
Roger Williams Plays Beautiful Waltzes (Kapp KL-1062, KS-3000) – 1957
Almost Paradise (Kapp KL-1063) – 1957
Songs of the Fabulous Fifties (Kapp KXL-5000) (2-record set) – 1957
Songs of the Fabulous Forties (Kapp KXL-5003) (2-record set) – 1957
Songs of the Fabulous Century (Kapp KXL-5005) (2-record set) – 1958
(Kapp KL-1081) – 1958
Till
Roger Williams Plays Gershwin (Kapp KL-1088) – 1958
Near You (Kapp KL-1112) – 1959
More Songs of the Fabulous Fifties (Kapp KL-1130, KS-3013) – 1959
With These Hands (Kapp KL-1147, KS-3030) – 1959
Christmas Time (Kapp KL-1164, KS-3048, MCA-536, MCA-15005) – 1959
Always – Melodies That Will Live Forever (Kapp KL-1172, KS-3056) – 1960
Songs of the Fabulous Forties – Part 1 (Kapp KL-1207, KS-3207) – 1960
Songs of the Fabulous Forties – Part 2 (Kapp KL-1208, KS-3208) – 1960
Songs of the Fabulous Fifties – Part 1 (Kapp KL-1209, KS-3209) – 1960
Songs of the Fabulous Fifties – Part 2 (Kapp KL-1210, KS-3210) – 1960
Songs of the Fabulous Century – Part 1 (Kapp KL-1211, KS-3211) – 1960
Songs of the Fabulous Century – Part 2 (Kapp KL-1212, KS-3212) – 1960
Temptation (Kapp KL-1217, KS-3217) – 1960
Roger Williams Invites You to Dance (Kapp KL-1222, KS-3222) – 1961
Yellow Bird (Kapp KL-1244, KS-3244) – 1961
Songs of the Soaring '60s – Vol. 1 (Kapp KL-1251, KS-3251) – 1961
Roger Williams at Town Hall (Kapp KXL-5008) (2-record set) – 1961
Greatest Hits (Kapp KL-1260, KS-3260) – 1962
Maria (Kapp KL-1266, KS-3266) – 1962
Mr. Piano (Kapp KL-1290, KS-3290) – 1962
Country Style (Kapp KL-1305) – 1963
For You (Kapp KL-1336, KS-3336) – 1963
The Solid Gold Steinway (Kapp KL-1354, KS-3354) – 1964
By Special Request (Kapp KL-3. KS-3) – 1964
Roger Williams Family Album of Hymns (Kapp KS-3395)
Academy Award Winners (Kapp KL-1406, KL-3406) – 1964
Roger Williams Plays the Hits (Kapp KL-1414, KS-3414) – 1965
Summer Wind and Your Special Requests (Kapp KL-1434, KS-3434) – 1965
Autumn Leaves – 1965 (Kapp KL-1452, KS-3452) – 1965
I'll Remember You (Kapp KL-1470, KS-3470) – 1967
Somewhere My Love (Kapp KS-3470) – 1967
Academy Award Winners – Vol. 2 (Kapp KL-1483)
Born Free (Kapp KL-1501, KS-3501, KTL-3501) – 1966
Roger! (Kapp KL-1512, KS-3512) – 1967
Golden Hits (Kapp KL-1530, KS-3530) – 1967
By Special Request – Vol. 2 (Kapp KL-4, KS-4) – 1967
Amor (Kapp KS-3549) – 1968
The Impossible Dream (Kapp KS-3550) – 1968
More Than a Miracle (Kapp KS-3550)
Only for Lovers (Kapp KS-3565) – 1968
Happy Heart (Kapp KS-3595) – 1969
The Piano Magic of Roger Williams (Columbia Musical Treasuries P2S-5306, P3S-5314) – 1969
Roger Williams Plays Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet and Other Great Movie Themes (Kapp KS-3610, L3610)
Themes from Great Movies (Kapp KS-3629) – 1970
Golden Hits – Vol. 2 (Kapp KS-3638) – 1970
Magic Moods – Roger Williams/Bert Kaempfert (MCA Special Markets DL-734729) – 1970
Love Story (Kapp KS-3645) – 1971
Summer of '42 (The Summer Knows) (Kapp KS-3650) – 1971
Twilight Themes: 10 All-Time Favorites (Longines Symphonette Society – SYS5329, LS206C, LWS 640) – 1971
Love Theme from "The Godfather" (Kapp KS-3665) – 1972
Play Me: Love Themes from "Lady Sings the Blues" (Kapp KS-3671) – 1972
The Roger Williams Showcase (Kapp KW-900)
Roger Williams (MCA-324) – 1973
Roger Williams Live (MCA-378) – 1973
The Way We Were (MCA-403) – 1974
I Honestly Love You (MCA-438) – 1975
Virtuoso (MCA-2175) – 1976
Nadia's Theme (MCA-2237) – 1976
The Best of Roger Williams (MCA2-4106, RCA Music Service R-243835) (2-record set) – 1976
Evergreen (MCA-2279) – 1977
Autumn Leaves: The Best of Roger Williams (Reader's Digest RDA-187) (8-record set) – 1979
Golden Christmas (Holiday HDY-1927) – 1981
Ivory Impact (Bainbridge BT-8002) – 1982
1970's (MCA2-4180) – 1983
The Best of the Beautiful (MCAD-5571) – 1985
To Amadeus with Love (MCAD-5574) – 1985
Somewhere in Time (Bainbridge BT-6265) – 1986
Today, My Way (Priority (Capitol) Records SL9323) – 1986
The Great Love Songs (MCA Special Products 15074) (3-CD set) – 1993
Golden Christmas (Special Music Company SCD-4607) – 1993
Sunrise Sunset (MCA, Pickwick SPC-3511)
Spanish Eyes (MCA, Pickwick SPC-3367)
Roger Williams & Ferrante and Teicher (Metro M-484)
Born Free ... and Other Great Romantic Melodies (Longines Symphonette Society LS 206-A) (5-record box set)
Official website
of Iowa legislature honoring Roger Williams
Text of resolution
Roger Williams page on
Nebraska Music Hall of Fame site
Media related to Roger Williams (pianist) at Wikimedia Commons