Dick Rogers
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Richard Rogers (1912–1970) was a singer, comedian, songwriter and pianist, who wrote the
lyrics Lyrics are words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist. The words to an extended musical composition such as an opera are, however, usually known as a "libretto" and their writer, ...
for "
Harlem Nocturne "Harlem Nocturne" is a jazz standard written by Earle Hagen (music) and Dick Rogers (lyrics) in 1939 for the Ray Noble orchestra, of which they were members. The song was chosen by the big-band leader Randy Brooks the next year as his theme song ...
". He was a member of the
Ray Noble Raymond Stanley Noble (17 December 1903 – 3 April 1978) was an English jazz and big band musician, who was a bandleader, composer and arranger, as well as a radio host, television and film comedian and actor; he also performed in the United S ...
orchestra and the Will Osborne band. Rogers was associated with Will Osborne, a "star crooner" who was on the radio in the 1930s. Osborne's band was on the decline in 1940. Osborne created a "bus and truck vaudeville show", with comedy acts, which did not do well. Dick was hired on as "Stinky" Rogers, doing a singing comedy act. When Osborne moved to Hollywood in 1940, Rogers took over the band. He did well, according to a ''
Billboard Magazine ''Billboard'' (stylized in lowercase since 2013) is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events and styles related to th ...
'' review in 1942, who said he "...acquitted himself credibly, as did his orchestra." The magazine called him capable, saying he could sing, compose, play and lead.


Composed music or lyrics

* "
Harlem Nocturne "Harlem Nocturne" is a jazz standard written by Earle Hagen (music) and Dick Rogers (lyrics) in 1939 for the Ray Noble orchestra, of which they were members. The song was chosen by the big-band leader Randy Brooks the next year as his theme song ...
" (1939) (with
Earle Hagen Earle Harry Hagen (July 9, 1919 – May 26, 2008) was an American composer who created music for films and television. His best-known TV themes include ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'', ''I Spy (1965 TV series), I Spy'', ''That Girl'' and ''The Mod Sq ...
) * "Pompton Turnpike" (played by
Charlie Barnet Charles Daly Barnet (October 26, 1913 – September 4, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. His major recordings were "Nagasaki", "Skyliner", "Cherokee", "The Wrong Idea", "Scotch and Soda", "In a Mizz", and "South ...
) (written with Will Osborne) (1940) * "Spaghetti Rag" (music by Lyons and Yosco) (1950) * "Magazines (Are Magic for Lonely People)" (sung by Theresa Brewer) (1958) * "I Guess I'll Get the Papers and Go Home" (sung by the
Mills Brothers The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed The Four Mills Brothers and originally known as Four Boys and a Guitar, were an American jazz and traditional pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and g ...
, written with Hughie Prince, Hal Kanner) (1946) * "Would'st Could I But Kiss Thy Hand, Oh Babe" (written with Will Osborne) (sung by "Doghouse" Dale Jones)) * Dozens more.


Footnotes


External links


Billboard magazine, Rogers talked about.

Dick Rogers talked about in the book ''Serge Chaloff: A Musical Biography and Discography'' By Vladimir Simosko
{{Authority control 20th-century American musicians American bandleaders American lyricists 1912 births 1970 deaths