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.
Night Guard
Stan Rogers Lyrics
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But the bulls were getting tough and he was never free of pain
Where others blew their winnings getting tanked
Most of his got banked saving for the farm
He never thought she'd wait for him at all
She wanted more than broken bones and trophies on the wall
But when he quit and finally got the farm
He was star of all the rodeos but now they rob him blind
It took eighteen years of Brahma bulls and life on the line
To get this spread and a decent herd
But now he spends his time pulling night guard
He told her that he'd got it for the game
A "Winnie" 303 with his initials on the frame
Riding in the scabbard at his knee. Tonight he's gonna see
Who's getting all the stock
Seventh one this summer yesterday
Half a year of profits gone, and now there's hell to pay
The cops say they know who, but there's no proof
The banker hit the roof, and damn near took the car
He was star of all the rodeos but now thet rob him blind
It took eighteen years of Brahma bulls and life on the line
To get this spread and a decent herd
But now he spends his time pulling night guard
He hears the wire popping by the road
Sees the blacked out Reo coming for another load
This time, it's not one they take but two
Two minutes and they're through, and laughing in the cab
And here'll be the end of this tonight
'Cause all the proof he needs is lying steady in his sights
It may be just the worst thing he could do
But he squeezes off a few, then make his call to town
He was star of all the rodeos but now thet rob him blind
It took eighteen years of Brahma bulls and life on the line
To get this spread and a decent herd
But now he's doing time pulling night guard
The lyrics of Stan Rogers's song Night Guard describe the story of a former rodeo star who quit the competition to save his winnings and invest in a farm. Even though his wife initially doubted his ability to commit to a life outside the rodeo, he succeeded in getting the farm and starting a family. However, life as a farmer is not easy, and he finds himself pulling night guard to protect his livestock from theft. Despite his efforts, his herd is robbed repeatedly, and he is the only one to take action. He buys a gun and catches the thieves in the act. Even though he has no proof, he decides to take matters into his own hands and shoots them, knowing that he may end up in prison.
The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with life. The singer has given up on his dreams of the rodeo to pursue a more stable, family-oriented life, but finds himself trapped in a cycle of hard work and little payoff. The robbery of his herd represents the failure of his efforts and his perceived lack of agency in his own life. The desperate actions he takes demonstrate the feeling that the only way to regain control is through criminal means.
Line by Line Meaning
Forty-four's no age to start again
Starting over at 44 is not ideal, but he had to change careers due to his age and physical limitations from rodeo injuries.
But the bulls were getting tough and he was never free of pain
His rodeo career was cut short due to the increasing difficulty of the bulls he had to ride and the frequent pain he experienced from prior injuries.
Most of his got banked saving for the farm
Instead of spending all his winnings on frivolous things, he saved most of it to eventually buy a farm.
She wanted more than broken bones and trophies on the wall
His wife didn't want him to continue with rodeo because she prioritized his health and safety over his success in the sport.
He was star of all the rodeos but now they rob him blind
After becoming a farmer, he feels like he's being cheated by outside forces (possibly thieves or corrupt business partners) who are exploiting him for his success in rodeo.
He told her that he'd got it for the game
He claimed that he purchased a gun to use for hunting, not to confront the people who have been stealing from him.
This time, it's not one they take but two
The thieves are stealing more than usual, meaning the stakes are higher for him and his farm.
He hears the wire popping by the road
He hears the sound of the thieves breaking into his property and stealing from him, and is prepared to take action.
It may be just the worst thing he could do
He knows that using a gun to confront the thieves may not be the best course of action, but he feels desperate and like he has no other options.
But now he's doing time pulling night guard
As a result of his actions, he is now spending time in jail serving a night watchman duty.
Contributed by Anthony S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.