He was born to a Lutheran minister, the Rev. Frederick J. Weertz (1891–1980) and a music teacher, Dorothea Bang Weertz (1895–1985), in Omaha, Nebraska. The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, before his first birthday. 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 claimed he was expelled for playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in the practice room. 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 attend Juilliard, where he studied jazz piano under Lennie Tristano and Teddy Wilson.
Williams won a talent contest on Dennis James' television program, Chance of a Lifetime. 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 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard's popular music chart. It sold over two million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. It was the fourth #1 song of the "rock era," which unofficially began with the ascension of "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets into the top spot. In 1966 he had another Top Ten hit with the song "Born Free" from the motion picture soundtrack. His other hits include "Near You", "Till", "The Impossible Dream", "Yellow Bird", "Maria", and "The Theme from Somewhere in Time". Billboard magazine ranks him as the top selling piano recording artist in history with 18 gold and platinum albums to his credit. Williams was known as the "Pianist to the Presidents" having played for nine administrations beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last White House performance was in November 2008 for a luncheon hosted by First Lady Laura Bush.
His interest in the public stems from a boyhood experience in Des Moines, Iowa. After a piano concert by the Polish genius Ignacy Jan Paderewski, young Roger waited for 45 minutes outside in the freezing cold to meet his idol. When the pianist finally appeared it was to rush to a waiting automobile. "I didn't even get near enough to touch him or get an autograph," says Williams. "It was then and there I resolved that if ever I became famous I would never disappoint anyone who wanted to talk to me."
On his 75th birthday, Williams performed his first 12-hour piano marathon. He performed the marathon at Steinway Hall in New York City and the Nixon, Carter and Reagan Presidential Libraries. His Steinway & Sons "Gold Steinway" grand piano was on tour for public display and entertainment during 2007–2008.
In 2010 Roger Williams was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. At that time, "Autumn Leaves" was the best-selling piano solo record of all time and the only one ever to top the Billboard charts.
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 shrunk it to an operable size. Williams 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!"
Williams died on October 8, 2011, one week after his 87th birthday.
All the Way
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue see is
When somebody needs you
It's no good unless he needs you, all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years, come what may
Who know where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you, all the way
All the way
The song "All The Way" by Roger Williams is a love song that speaks about the depth and sincerity of love, and the importance of being committed to loving someone completely. The lyrics talk about how love is not enough if it is not given all the way, and that it involves being there for each other through the good and the bad times. The first few lines talk about how being loved is incomplete unless it is being loved completely. The singer emphasizes that when someone loves you, they have to love you completely, "all the way" for it to be worth anything.
The subsequent lines speak about the depth of true love. It is more significant than the tallest tree and deeper than the deep blue sea. This song communicates that love is not just a feeling, but it requires commitment, and it's a choice that you make every day. The song suggests that if someone needs you, they have to need you all the way. Love has to be there in the happy moments but also during the moments that challenge the relationship. Through the good or lean years and for all the in-between years, come what may.
In conclusion, the song "All the Way" is a classic love ballad that speaks about the importance of committing entirely to a relationship. The lyrics emphasize that love is a choice that requires complete commitment, sacrifice, and dedication from both partners if the relationship is to succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
When somebody loves you
Being loved by someone
It's no good unless he loves you all the way
Love is only valuable when it is total and unconditional
Happy to be near you
Companionship during good times
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
Being there for someone during tough times
Taller than the tallest tree is
Love feels like it is greater than anything else
That's how it's got to feel
The intensity of love is the way it should be
Deeper than the deep blue see is
Indescribable depth of love
That's how deep it goes if it's real
Real and true love is boundless
When somebody needs you
Being needed by someone
It's no good unless he needs you all the way
Emphasizes the importance of complete trust and support in a relationship
Through the good or lean years
Enduring hardships together
And for all the in between years, come what may
Being there through all life's ups and downs
Who know where the road will lead us
The future is unknown
Only a fool would say
Only a foolish person will make a prediction
But if you'll let me love you
Expressing the desire to love someone
It's for sure I'm gonna love you all the way
Promising complete and unwavering love
All the way
Love in entirety
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind