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.
Louise
Stan Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your note came yesterday,
But, yesterday was crazy;
There was much to square away.
Then I tried to come this morning,
But the old car wouldn't run
And the buses run so slowly,
There was nothing to be done.
But you, you don't need my troubles,
I'm here now, anyway,
And there's nothing left behind me
To say I cannot stay.
When I told you that I love you,
I said' "Call me anytime,
And especially when you need someone
When things get out of line"â?¦
[Chorus]
And oh, there's a burning in your eyes
And the hand you put in mine won't stop trembling.
Oh, tell me what you're going through,
Cause all I want to do is be protecting.
No! All those shadows on your face,
They look so out of place, they should be sunlight.
I want to take you when the smile returns
And keep you from the night
And wake up to see me in your eyes.
I don't know how we happened,
When we're kept so far apart.
There sure are lots worse prisons
Than the kind with iron bars;
And it almost makes me crazy
To see you hurt inside,
When you're beautiful and really need
To let things open wide.
Chorus:
The song "Louise" by Stan Rogers is a heartfelt ballad about a man expressing his love and support for his partner during difficult times. In the opening verse, the man explains that he was unable to see Louise sooner due to various complications, but now that he is there, he promises to be a source of comfort for her. He reminds Louise of his previous declarations of love and support, assuring her that she can always rely on him during times of trouble. The chorus emphasizes the man's desire to protect Louise, to be a shoulder to lean on, and to help her overcome her struggles.
The song's emotional core comes from the second verse, in which the man reflects on how he and Louise ended up in a situation where they are separated from each other. He notes that although they are not physically imprisoned, the distance between them can feel like a prison of its own. He laments seeing Louise suffer and wishes he could make things better for her. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the man's steadfast devotion to Louise and his desire to protect her from the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
I would have been here sooner,
I apologize for not making it here sooner due to my busy schedule.
Your note came yesterday,
I received your message yesterday.
But, yesterday was crazy;
I had a hectic day yesterday.
There was much to square away.
I had many things to take care of before coming here.
Then I tried to come this morning,
I attempted to visit you this morning.
But the old car wouldn't run
Unfortunately, my car could not start.
And the buses run so slowly,
The buses were not a viable option due to how slow they move.
There was nothing to be done.
I had no other solution but to wait until I could make it here.
But you, you don't need my troubles,
I understand that you are dealing with your own issues and do not want to burden you with mine.
I'm here now, anyway,
Despite my previous obstacles, I ultimately made it to be here with you.
And there's nothing left behind me
I have left everything else behind to be here solely with you.
To say I cannot stay.
I have no plans to leave anytime soon.
When I told you that I love you,
I previously expressed my love for you.
I said' "Call me anytime,
I want you to know that I am always available for you.
And especially when you need someone
I want you to know that I am there for you especially in times of need.
When things get out of line"â?¦
I want to be there to help you when things go wrong or become difficult to handle.
And oh, there's a burning in your eyes
I can see the intense emotions in your eyes.
And the hand you put in mine won't stop trembling.
I can feel the discomfort and fear you are experiencing through the shaking of your hand.
Oh, tell me what you're going through,
Please tell me about the issues that are causing you distress.
Cause all I want to do is be protecting.
I want to be there to protect you and help alleviate your struggles.
No! All those shadows on your face,
The pain and turmoil that is showcased on your face is heartbreaking.
They look so out of place, they should be sunlight.
It is not fair that you are feeling such pain when you should be experiencing happiness and joy.
I want to take you when the smile returns
I want to be there to comfort and support you when you feel better and your smile returns.
And keep you from the night
I want to protect you from the darkness and any harm that may come with it.
And wake up to see me in your eyes.
I want to wake up and see that you have found comfort and safety with me by your side.
I don't know how we happened,
I am unsure of how our relationship came to be.
When we're kept so far apart.
Despite the distance between us, we have formed a connection.
There sure are lots worse prisons
There are many worse situations and places in which to be trapped.
Than the kind with iron bars;
Being separated by distance is not the worst form of confinement.
And it almost makes me crazy
It is emotionally taxing to see you hurting and not be able to do more to help.
To see you hurt inside,
It is difficult for me to witness you in emotional pain.
When you're beautiful and really need
It is not fair that someone as wonderful and deserving as you should have to bear such hardship.
To let things open wide.
I hope you can release your struggles and allow yourself to feel better.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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