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.
Blue Moon
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!
Blue moon!
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
The song "Blue Moon" by Roger Williams is a classic hit that has been covered by many artists throughout the years. The lyrics of the song are a beautiful representation of love and longing, as well as the magic of a blue moon. When the singer sings "Blue moon you saw me standing alone," he is addressing the moon as if it were a person. He then goes on to confess that he has no dreams or love of his own, but the moon knows exactly what he is there for just by seeing him.
The singer then goes on to express his desire to find someone to care for and the hopelessness he feels without that special someone in his life. He is essentially singing a prayer to the moon and asking for help in finding love. The magic of the blue moon comes into play when the singer finally finds that special someone. As the moon turns to gold, the person he has been waiting for suddenly appears before him. The rest of the song is an expression of the joy and relief he feels now that he is no longer alone and has found the love of his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue moon you saw me standing alone
The blue moon illuminated my solitary figure
Without a dream in my heart
I had no aspirations or goals
Without a love of my own
I didn't have a special someone to love
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
The blue moon seemed to understand my purpose
You heard me saying a prayer for
You picked up on my hopes and desires
Someone I really could care for
I longed for a person to hold dear
And then there suddenly appeared before me
Out of nowhere, someone crossed my path
The only one my arms will ever hold
This person was the only one who could fulfill my romantic longing
I heard somebody whisper "Please adore me"
The person spoke tenderly, asking for my love
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!
The moon had a transformative effect when I found true love
Blue moon!
Oh, how the moon has affected my life
Now I'm no longer alone
With this person in my life, I am no longer solitary
Without a dream in my heart
My lack of goals have been fulfilled
Without a love of my own
I have found love and no longer yearn for someone special
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind