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.
Canadian Sunset
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So lonely and then
You came, out of nowhere
Like the sun up from the hills
Cold, cold was the wind
Warm, warm were your lips
Out there, on that ski trail
A weekend in Canada, a change of scene
Was the most I bargained for
And then I discovered you and in your eyes
I found the love that I couldn't ignore
Down, down came the sun
Fast, fast, fast, beat my heart
I knew when the sun set
From that day, we'd never ever part
The song Canadian Sunset by Roger Williams tells us the story of a lonely person who finds love in the most unexpected way. The song begins by talking about how the person was once alone and felt lonely until the love interest came into their life like the sun rising from the hills. The lyrics make use of strong metaphorical language to describe the coming of the character - it's as if they are a ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak and overcast world.
The lyrics then delve into a passionate scene where the two characters meet on a ski trail. The wind is cold, but the other person's lips are warm, and their kiss fills the person with excitement and anticipation. The thrill of the moment is palpable and the music perfectly captures the feeling of young love and the start of a beautiful journey.
The middle two lines of the second verse talk about how the person wasn't expecting much from their trip to Canada - only a change of scene. But then they meet the love of their life and discover a depth of love and connection that they never knew existed before. The song ends with a declaration of the love they found and the knowledge that they would never be apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I was alone
At one point in time, I was very isolated and solitary.
So lonely and then
During the time I was alone, I felt an immense sense of loneliness.
You came, out of nowhere
Unexpectedly, you entered my life without warning or expectation.
Like the sun up from the hills
Your presence was a sudden and welcome surprise, much like the rising of the sun over a hill.
Cold, cold was the wind
The weather around me was very cold and chilly at the time.
Warm, warm were your lips
Despite the coldness of my surroundings, I felt comforted by the warmth of your lips as we kissed.
Out there, on that ski trail
The moment when we shared our first kiss together occurred in the context of skiing down a trail.
Where your kiss filled me with thrills
When you kissed me, it elicited feelings of excitement and joy within me.
A weekend in Canada, a change of scene
I took a trip to Canada to see and experience something different for a change.
Was the most I bargained for
Initially, I was not expecting much from this trip other than a change of scenery.
And then I discovered you and in your eyes
However, during my trip to Canada, I unexpectedly found you and saw something special in your eyes.
I found the love that I couldn't ignore
Upon discovering this special kind of love, I knew that I could not suppress or neglect it any longer.
Down, down came the sun
As the sun began to set, it started to sink lower and lower in the sky.
Fast, fast, fast, beat my heart
During this moment, my heart began to race faster and faster with anticipation and excitement.
I knew when the sun set
At this precise moment when the sun had set completely,
From that day, we'd never ever part
I realized that I could not bear the thought of ever being separated from you again from that day forth.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NORMAN GIMBEL, EDDIE HEYWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind