Roger Williams

Roger Williams (born October 1, 1924), born Louis Weertz, is one of the most popular pianists in American popular music history.[citation needed] As of 2004, he has released 116 albums.[1] He was born Louis Weertz, the son of a Lutheran minister (Rev. Frederick J. Weertz) and a music teacher (Dorothea Bang Weertz), in Omaha, Nebraska, but before his first birthday the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. He first played the piano at age three. In high school he became interested in boxing, mainly at his father's insistence, and only returned to music after breaking his nose several times and sustaining several other injuries. He majored in piano at Drake University in Des Moines, but was expelled for playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in the practice room.[2] Weertz entered the United States Navy and served in World War II. While still in the Navy, he earned a bachelor's degree from Idaho State College (now Idaho State University) in 1950. Afterwards Weertz re-enrolled at Drake, where he earned his master's degree. He then moved to New York City to study at the Juilliard School of Music. At Juilliard he studied jazz piano under Lennie Tristano and Teddy Wilson. One night Weertz was scheduled to play as an accompanist for a Juilliard student who was to sing on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. When the singer failed to appear, Weertz went on as a piano soloist and won the night's contest. He was heard by David Kapp, founder of Kapp Records. Kapp was so impressed that he signed the pianist, changing his name to "Roger Williams" after the founder of Rhode Island. In addition to the Godfrey program, Williams also won a talent contest on Dennis James' program, Chance of a Lifetime.[3] In 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard magazine's popular music charts.[1] While many other recordings have been made of this song, Williams' version is easily the best known and most played. In 1966 he had another Top Ten hit with the song "Born Free" from the motion picture soundtrack of the same name. His first wife, Joy Dunsmoor, bore him three children. After divorcing her, he married again in 1985, to Louise DiCarlo. Williams was the first pianist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On October 29, 2004 he was inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame. Williams resides in Encino, California and has more recently bought the rights to his Kapp masters from the Universal Music Group. His Steinway & Sons "Gold Steinway" grand piano has been on tour for public display and entertainment during 2007–2008.