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.
The Impossible Dream
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart
Live free and beauty surrounds you
The world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star
You're free as the roaring tide
So there's no need to hide
Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
'Cause you're born free
(Stay free, where no walls divide you)
You're free as the roaring tide
So there's no need to hide
Born free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
'Cause you're born free
The lyrics of Roger Williams' classic song Born Free explores the themes of freedom, beauty, and the value of life. The opening lines "Born free, as free as the wind blows, As free as the grass grows" describes the natural freedom that every individual is bestowed with. The song suggests that one can follow their heart and live freely with the world around them being a source of constant amazement and beauty. The lyrics "Live free and beauty surrounds you, The world still astounds you, Each time you look at a star" highlights that while we live freely, we embrace the beauty and wonders of our natural world.
The song goes on to suggest staying free and not letting any walls divide an individual from the world around them. The reference to the roaring tide is a metaphor that represents the unstoppable force of nature that cannot be contained, much like the spirit of a free individual. The lyrics urge individuals to remain free and unburdened by anything, as life is worth living only when we live freely. The song concludes with the line "Born free, and life is worth living, But only worth living 'Cause you're born free", reminding the listener that the innate freedom that every individual is born with is a reason in itself to embrace and enjoy life.
Line by Line Meaning
Born free, as free as the wind blows
You were born with freedom as natural as the wind
As free as the grass grows
Your freedom is as inherent as the growth of the grass
Born free to follow your heart
You were born free to pursue what your heart desires
Live free and beauty surrounds you
When you live in freedom, beauty is everywhere around you
The world still astounds you
You are continuously amazed by the world's wonders
Each time you look at a star
Every time you observe the stars, you feel lifted by their brilliance
Stay free, where no walls divide you
Remain free, away from any barriers that may separate you from the world
You're free as the roaring tide
You possess as much freedom as the powerful, rolling tide of the ocean
So there's no need to hide
There's no reason to conceal yourself, as you have nothing to fear in freedom
Born free, and life is worth living
From the moment you were born, your existence has been worth experiencing
But only worth living
Your life is only worth experiencing
'Cause you're born free
Because you came into this world already empowered with freedom
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yenney Rossi
Fantastico modo di suonare il pianoforte 🎹 ✨🎶Grazie di cuore per la condivisione 🙏 Un meritato applauso per Roger Williams 👼 👋 Complimenti!! Ciao 🇮🇹✔️🤗
Roy Mah
A True romantic man of all times with that special God given talent.
RIP
Roger Williams Music
So true, thank you 💕🎶
MDK
Magnífico ❤
Luiz Fernandes
Linda melodia
Emanuel Messias de Sousa Belchior
MEU DEUS QUE COISA LINDA
Justice For All
ROGER WILLIAMS , was the best pianist of our modern times! I greatly admire him and certainly miss him dearly !! R.I.P ✝️
Rudy Agresta
One of my favorite piano arrangements of Roger's is this one...I get chills every time I hear it.
Roger Williams Music
Me too!
Dorian Sarris
Too bad it took Roger so long to get his gorgeous arrangement together. If only it had hit the market just a bit sooner, I am SURE it would have been a HUGE gold record!!!