Los Angeles - Roger Williams, a pianist who led the Billboard pop chart in 1950 and played for nine U.S. presidents during a long career, died Saturday. He was 87.
Mr. Williams died at his home in Los Angeles of complications from pancreatic cancer, according to his former publicist, Rob Wilcox.
Known as a singer and electrifying stage adept improviser, Mr. Williams quickly switch between musical styles.
1955 hit Mr. Williams "Autumn Leaves" was the only piano instrumental to reach number 1 on the Billboard pop music. It remains the best-selling piano recording of all time, with more than 2 million sold.
Nicknamed "the pianist, the presidents," Mr. Williams has played for every commander from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. His last trip to the White House in 2008, when he spoke at a dinner for then-First Lady Laura Bush.
Mr. Williams was a good friend of Jimmy Carter, with whom he shared a birthday. When two people 80 years old, Mr. Williams played a 12-hour marathon on Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta, with the former president in attendance.
Born Louis Wertz, Nebraska, he started playing piano at age 3. At the age of 9 years he was prolific with several instruments and could play anything by ear.
As a teenager, he got his 15-minute radio show on KRNT, which was broadcast live from Des Moines, Iowa, a department store. Later he organized a program of WHO, where he first met young sports station announcer Ronald "Dutch" Reagan. The two men began the friendship that has lasted over 60 years.
Mr. Williams moved to New York to study jazz at Juilliard School of Music. He won the tender for the popular radio show "Arthur Godfrey's Talent," Dennis James and "chance of a lifetime."
Soon after, Mr. Williams has signed a contract with Kapp Records, where founder Dave Kapp was determined to find a hit for the young prodigy. Producers have decided on the short position "Autumn Leaves," which Mr. Williams reminded the first frequency, at three minutes and three seconds.
"In those days, disc jockeys will not play the record for three minutes. So Kapp asked if I could play third a little faster. I did, and she came in two minutes and 59 seconds," Mr. Williams said, according to with Wilcox.
It was an instant hit, and catapulted Mr. Williams of National Glory. He followed it with hits including "Born Free", "Impossible Dream", "Theme from Somewhere in Time", and "Theme from Dr. Zhivago Lara."
Mr. Williams has become a popular guest on TV shows top the time, including "The Ed Sullivan Show", "Perry Como Show" and "Steve Allen Show."
He became the first pianist to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Steinway & Sons.
On his 75th birthday, Mr. Williams played a 12-hour marathon at Steinway Hall in New York, the trick he repeated several times in subsequent years.
In March, Mr. Williams announced on his website that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Mr. Williams is survived by his daughters, Laura Fisher and Alice Young, and five grandchildren.
Mr. Williams died at his home in Los Angeles of complications from pancreatic cancer, according to his former publicist, Rob Wilcox.
Known as a singer and electrifying stage adept improviser, Mr. Williams quickly switch between musical styles.
1955 hit Mr. Williams "Autumn Leaves" was the only piano instrumental to reach number 1 on the Billboard pop music. It remains the best-selling piano recording of all time, with more than 2 million sold.
Nicknamed "the pianist, the presidents," Mr. Williams has played for every commander from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. His last trip to the White House in 2008, when he spoke at a dinner for then-First Lady Laura Bush.
Mr. Williams was a good friend of Jimmy Carter, with whom he shared a birthday. When two people 80 years old, Mr. Williams played a 12-hour marathon on Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta, with the former president in attendance.
Born Louis Wertz, Nebraska, he started playing piano at age 3. At the age of 9 years he was prolific with several instruments and could play anything by ear.
As a teenager, he got his 15-minute radio show on KRNT, which was broadcast live from Des Moines, Iowa, a department store. Later he organized a program of WHO, where he first met young sports station announcer Ronald "Dutch" Reagan. The two men began the friendship that has lasted over 60 years.
Mr. Williams moved to New York to study jazz at Juilliard School of Music. He won the tender for the popular radio show "Arthur Godfrey's Talent," Dennis James and "chance of a lifetime."
Soon after, Mr. Williams has signed a contract with Kapp Records, where founder Dave Kapp was determined to find a hit for the young prodigy. Producers have decided on the short position "Autumn Leaves," which Mr. Williams reminded the first frequency, at three minutes and three seconds.
"In those days, disc jockeys will not play the record for three minutes. So Kapp asked if I could play third a little faster. I did, and she came in two minutes and 59 seconds," Mr. Williams said, according to with Wilcox.
It was an instant hit, and catapulted Mr. Williams of National Glory. He followed it with hits including "Born Free", "Impossible Dream", "Theme from Somewhere in Time", and "Theme from Dr. Zhivago Lara."
Mr. Williams has become a popular guest on TV shows top the time, including "The Ed Sullivan Show", "Perry Como Show" and "Steve Allen Show."
He became the first pianist to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Steinway & Sons.
On his 75th birthday, Mr. Williams played a 12-hour marathon at Steinway Hall in New York, the trick he repeated several times in subsequent years.
In March, Mr. Williams announced on his website that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Mr. Williams is survived by his daughters, Laura Fisher and Alice Young, and five grandchildren.
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