Rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his traditional-sounding songs which were frequently inspired by Canadian history and the daily lives of working people, especially those from the fishing villages of the Maritime provinces and, later, the farms of the Canadian prairies and Great Lakes. Rogers died in a fire aboard Air Canada Flight 797 on the ground at the Greater Cincinnati Airport at the age of 33.
Rogers was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the eldest son of Nathan Allison Rogers and Valerie (née Bushell) Rogers, two Maritimers who had relocated to Ontario in search of work shortly after their marriage in July 1948. Although Rogers was raised in Binbrook, Ontario, he often spent summers visiting family in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia.
It was there that he became familiar with the way of life in the Maritimes, an influence which was to have a profound impact on his subsequent musical development. He was interested in music from an early age, reportedly beginning to sing shortly after learning to speak. He received his first guitar, a miniature hand-built by his uncle Lee Bushell, when he was five years of age. He was exposed to a variety of music influences, but among the most lasting were the country and western tunes his uncles would sing during family get-togethers. Throughout his childhood, he would practice his singing and playing along with his brother Garnet, six years his junior.
While Rogers was attending Saltfleet High School, Stoney Creek, Ontario, he started to meet other young people interested in folk music, although at this time he was dabbling in rock and roll, singing and playing bass guitar in garage bands such as "Stanley and the Living Stones" and "The Hobbits". After high school, Rogers briefly attended both McMaster University and Trent University, where he performed in small venues with other student musicians, including Ian Tamblyn, Chris Ward and fellow Hobbit Nigel Russell. Russell wrote the song "White Collar Holler", which Rogers sang frequently on stage.
Rogers signed with RCA Records in 1970 and recorded two singles: "Here's to You Santa Claus" in 1970, and "The Fat Girl Rag" in 1971. In 1973, Rogers recorded three singles for Polygram: "Three Pennies", "Guysborough Train", and "Past Fifty."
In 1976, Rogers recorded his debut album, Fogarty's Cove, released in 1977 on Barnswallow Records. The album's subject matter dealt almost entirely with life in maritime Canada, and was an immediate success. Rogers then formed Fogarty's Cove Music, and bought Barnswallow during the production of Turnaround, allowing him to release his own albums. Posthumously, additional albums were released.[citation needed]
Rogers' songs often had a Celtic feel which was due, in part, to his frequent use of DADGAD guitar tuning. He regularly used his William 'Grit' Laskin built 12-string guitar in his performances. His best-known pieces include "Northwest Passage", "Barrett's Privateers", "The Mary Ellen Carter", "Make and Break Harbour", "The Idiot", "Fogarty's Cove", and "White Squall".
Rogers died alongside 22 other passengers most likely of smoke inhalation on June 2, 1983, while traveling on Air Canada Flight 797 (a McDonnell Douglas DC-9) after performing at the Kerrville Folk Festival. The airliner was flying from Dallas, Texas, to Toronto and Montreal when a fire of unknown ignition source within the vanity or toilet shroud of the aft washroom forced it to make an emergency landing at the Greater Cincinnati Airport in northern Kentucky.
There were initially no visible flames, and after attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, smoke filled the cabin. Upon landing, the plane's doors were opened, allowing the five crew and 18 of the passengers to escape, but approximately 60 to 90 seconds into the evacuation the oxygen rushing in from outside caused a flash fire. Rogers had initially been one of the passengers to escape, but he at some point re-entered the plane to assist in the effort to help others escape.
Rogers' legacy includes his recordings, songbook, and plays for which he was commissioned to write music. His songs are still frequently covered by other musicians, and are perennial favourites at Canadian campfires and song circles. Members of Rogers' band, including his brother Garnet Rogers, continue to be active performers and form a significant part of the fabric of contemporary Canadian folk music. Following his death, he was nominated for the 1984 Juno Awards in the category for Best Male Vocalist. That same year, he was posthumously awarded the Diplôme d’Honneur of the Canadian Conference of the Arts. In 1994, his posthumous live album Home in Halifax was likewise nominated for Best Roots and Traditional Album.
Stan's son, Nathan Rogers, is also an established Canadian folk artist with a voice and lyrical acumen similar to his father's. He has released two critically acclaimed solo discs and tours internationally as a solo act and in the trio Dry Bones.
Flying
Stan Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coaching these kids to the top, and calling them men.
I was a third round pick in the NHL
And that's three years of living in hell,
And going up flying, and going home dying.
My life was over the boards and playing the game,
And every day checking the papers and finding my name.
He'd tell me that I'd have it all
Ninety nine of us trying, only one of us flying.
And every kid over the boards listens for the sound;
The roar of the crowd is their ticket for finally leaving this town
To be just one more hopeful in the Junior A,
Dreaming of that miracle play,
And going up flying, going home dying.
I tell them to think of the play and not of the fame.
If they've got any future at all, it's not in the game.
'Cause they'll be crippled and starting all over again
Selling on commissions and remembering
When they were flying, remembering dying.
And every kid over the boards listens for the sound;
The roar of the crowd is their ticket for finally leaving this town
To be just one more hopeful in the Junior A,
Dreaming of that miracle play,
And going up flying, going home dying.
The song "Flying" by Stan Rogers is a reflection on the life of a professional ice hockey player, from the point of view of a retired player who now coaches young players. The lyrics describe the struggles and sacrifices made by players in pursuit of their dreams of making it to the highest level of the sport.
The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer reflecting on the difficulties he faced as a young player trying to make it in the NHL. The line "going up flying, and going home dying" suggests the emotional highs and lows of the experience, with the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat both playing a role in shaping the player's perspective.
The second verse focuses on the hopes and dreams of young players, who see the NHL as the ultimate goal and dream of achieving fame and success. The line "Ninety nine of us trying, only one of us flying" highlights the competitive nature of the sport and the fact that only a select few will ever make it to the top.
In the third verse, the singer urges young players to focus on the game itself rather than the fame and potential riches that may come with success. He warns that injuries and other setbacks can derail a career, leaving players with little to fall back on. The line "remembering when they were flying, remembering dying" echoes the sentiments expressed in the first verse, suggesting that even successful players will have to confront the end of their careers someday.
Overall, "Flying" is a poignant reflection on the ups and downs of life as a professional athlete, as well as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls that can accompany such a career.
Line by Line Meaning
It was just like strapping 'em on and starting again,
Starting a new game is just like strapping on new equipment.
Coaching these kids to the top, and calling them men.
Helping young players reach their potential and become mature adults.
I was a third round pick in the NHL
I was chosen in the third round of the National Hockey League draft.
And that's three years of living in hell,
Playing in the minor leagues for three years was extremely difficult.
And going up flying, and going home dying.
Feeling elated after a win, but crushed after a loss.
My life was over the boards and playing the game,
My entire life revolved around playing hockey.
And every day checking the papers and finding my name.
Checking the newspaper for articles about my own performance and team news.
My dad would go crazy when the scouts would call;
My father would get excited when NHL scouts expressed interest in me.
He'd tell me that I'd have it all
My father would say that I had the potential to become a great hockey player.
Ninety nine of us trying, only one of us flying.
Many players try to make it to the NHL, but only a few succeed.
And every kid over the boards listens for the sound;
Players eagerly await the sound of the crowd cheering.
The roar of the crowd is their ticket for finally leaving this town
Success in hockey could lead to leaving a small town for a bigger city.
To be just one more hopeful in the Junior A,
Playing Junior A hockey is a stepping stone to the NHL and players have high hopes.
Dreaming of that miracle play,
Players dream of making a standout or game-winning play to catch the attention of scouts.
And going up flying, going home dying.
Feeling ecstatic with success, and crushed with defeat.
I tell them to think of the play and not of the fame.
I advise young players to focus on the game itself, rather than on becoming famous.
If they've got any future at all, it's not in the game.
Hockey might not be the right path for everyone and there are other career options.
'Cause they'll be crippled and starting all over again
Injuries can leave players disabled and force them to start anew in a different career.
Selling on commissions and remembering
Taking on a sales job and reminiscing about their glory days.
When they were flying, remembering dying.
Remembering the joy of success and the pain of defeat.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JAMES HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind