Nachfolgend die erste CD von Johnny Rogers: "Now you're living"
Here's Johnny's first CD "Now you're living", a country CD with a very sad
song telling the story of a girl that died aged 12, my favorite song,
"Katie's smile".
Diese CD hat nichts mit Buddy Holly zu tun.
Sie ist Country. Wunderbares Country.
Teilweise ergreifendes Country.
Das Lied, das den meisten Eindruck
auf mich machte, ist ein sehr trauriges
Lied von einem Mädchen, das im Alter von
12 Jahren starb: "Katie's smile".
Johnny Rogers was born in Chicago to parents that were
born in the southern states of Kentucky and Tennessee.
His father was a radio personality in the late 40’s and early 50’s,
who crossed paths with some of the biggest legends of music history
Elvis, Hank Sr., George Jones, Lefty Frizel, Marty Robbins and Conway
Twitty, to mention a few.
When he was very young his father gave him his first guitar.
He had no interest in playing, until he heard Buddy Holly for the first time.
The song was Rave On.
He said it was like someone or something turned a switch on inside of him.
From that moment on he knew what he wanted to be in life and that was
someone like Buddy.
His father showed him a few basic chords.
That was all he needed to get started playing.
While he was in high school he tried starting his own band, but finding
kids his own age with the same taste in music seemed to be impossible.
So, he began to look for older guys that grew up listening to the music.
He started sneeking in the honky tonks with his fathers help and a fake ID.
But, he wasn’t there to drink, he was there to learn about becoming
an entertainer.
Johnny und Tommy
zusammen auf der Bühne.
Wie man sieht,
macht es beiden Freude,
was sie da den Fans präsentieren.
Irgendwann, als er den Buddy Holly Titel "RAVE ON" hörte, war es so,
als ob jemand oder etwas in Johnny Rogers einen Schalter umlegte,
ab da begann der "Buddy Holly - Virus" von ihm Besitz zu ergreifen.
He looks, moves and sings
like Buddy Holly.
Johnny’s father was very good friends with a Chicago honky tonk legend by the name of Jimmy Nichols. Johnny’s father had given Jimmy his start in the late 50’s and now Jimmy would return the favor. Johnny started playing lead guitar for Jimmy Nichols at the age of 15. He was self taught and learned all styles of music.
Johnny made his debut on stage at the Off Broadway Lounge. Immediately he was a big draw. People would come from miles around to see the kid with horn rim glasses and lightning guitar licks. Johnny continued playing guitar for the Chicago legend until he was 21 and it was time to start his own band and his own show.
Johnny will transport his audience back in time when you could go to your favorite malt shops with your favorite girl and dance to your favorite bands.
His show will start with his portrayal of country legend Johnny Cash. By his side is the legendary Tommy Allsup (2 time Grammy winning Producer and Artist). Tommy played on more than 6,500 sessions and was Buddy Holly’s friend and lead guitarist from 1958-1959. He escaped death when flipping a coin wth Ritchie Valens. Ritchie called heads and the rest is Rock N Roll history.
The second show Johnny will portray Elvis Presley re-creating his Sun Studio and early RCA years.
The show will climax with Johnny’s uncanny portrayal of the late great Buddy Holly.
Tommy Allsup and Johnny Rogers like cars from the rocking fifties.
Tommy, Dino and
his cousin Johnny.
From Lubbock TX, Buddy's 70th Birthday Celebrations in the Buddy Holly Center.
Once again thanx to Dino.
Johnny meets Buddy again.
Wer in Lubbock zu Besuch ist, lässt die Statue von Buddy nicht aus.
Johnny and Larry Holley,
Buddy's oldest brother
and father of Sherry Holley.
Johnny and Sherry Holley.
Johnny with Tinker Carlen.
Tinker is a true Buddy Holly
authorityas he grew up
with Buddy, they were
friends from the age
of 7 years old.
Tinker's book about Buddy
hit the streets in Sept. 2007
Johnny and Jack Neal, who was
Buddy Holly's first performing
partner in 1953 on radio & TV.
Jack Neal also wrote "Modern Don Juan".
Johnny once again with Sherry Holley.
Larry Welborn in red shirt with Johnny.
Buddy, Larry Welborn and Bob Montgomery played together in the beginnings.
Johnny, Sherry Holley
and her husband Tommy.
Johnny with Tommy Allsup
in front of the entrance of
the Buddy Holly Center
in Lubbock.
Johnny, Sherry and Tommy in Johnny's hotel.
As far as I can see, must have been the Lubbock Inn.
Small people, big glasses.
Sherry, Larry and Travis Holley.
Johnny rocks the joint.
It's so easy . . .
Buddy forever !
My friend TOMMY ALLSUP,
Grammy award winner.
He was Buddy's guitar
player on the fatal WDP Tour.
According to Sir Paul Mc Cartney the best guitar player in the world.
Credits go to my good friend Shannon Moore, who
sent me these superb photos from a superb performance.
Thanks to both of you !
THIS
MAN
LIVES
BUDDY !
Johnny with Judy Bender (one of the twins on a pic with Buddy during WDP 1959)
Buddy Holly and the Bender twins in 1959.
Live at the Surf Ballroom 2008 - Johnny Rogers and The Vees
March 2008, Johnny Rogers and Family on the London Eye.
Tony Marsh
Johnny and his family marching in front of Buckingham Palace.
Johnny with his children, Kevin and Tommy.
From Blackpool: Patsy Cline II and Buddy Holly II on stage doing their very best.
Johnny, seine Tochter und Buddy's Witwe Maria Elena in Liverpool, wo das Tribute- Konzert für Buddy stattfand.
Hello Hans;
I just stumbled upon your Buddy Holly page while doing research for my Illustrator wife. I don't usually comment on things I see, but this time I have to.
I was almost 5 years old the day the music died. As I grew into my teens, my uncle, who was an avid Buddy Holly fan, played in a local band called The Graduates. His all-time influence was Buddy Holly. This uncle was my best friend, my mentor, and he also introduced me to the influence of Buddy Holly.
One of the last Buddy songs we (my uncle and I) performed together was True Love Ways. I still cannot sing it even now without tears streaming down my face. Both of my "Holly Legends" are gone now...but their influence lives on in me.
I thank you for such a wonderful tribute to a most influential person, and thank you also for touching memories I have just relived by browsing here. I plan to check back often, even if just to selfishly reminisce a little on my own.
Johnny Rogers Live In Lubbock, 2008
March 2008, Johnny Rogers and Family on the London Eye.
Tony Marsh
Johnny and his family marching in front of Buckingham Palace.
Johnny with his children, Kevin and Tommy.
From Blackpool: Patsy Cline II and Buddy Holly II on stage doing their very best.
Johnny, seine Tochter und Buddy's Witwe Maria Elena in Liverpool, wo das Tribute- Konzert für Buddy stattfand.
