Stan Rogers

Stanley Allison Rogers (November 29, 1949 – June 2, 1983) was a Canadian folk musician and songwriter. Rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his finely-crafted, 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. Rogers died in an airliner accident on the ground at the Greater Cincinnati Airport at the age of 33. A larger-than-life figure, his influence on Canadian folk music has been deep and lasting.

Early life and musical development

Rogers was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the eldest son of Nathan Allison "Al" Rogers and Valerie Rogers (née Bushell), two Maritimers who had relocated to Ontario in search of work shortly after their marriage in July 1948. Although Rogers was raised in rural Wentworth County, Ontario near Hamilton, 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, hand-built by his uncle Lee Bushell, when he was only 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 younger brother Garnet Rogers, six years his junior.

By the time that Rogers was attending Saltfleet High School in Stoney Creek, he started to meet other young people interested in folk music, although at this time he was also dabbling in rock and roll, singing and playing Bass guitar in garage bands such as "Stanley and the Living Stones," and "The Hobbits."

Career

As a young man, Rogers briefly attended both McMaster University and Trent University.

Rogers' songs often had a Celtic feel which was due, in part, to his frequent use of DADGAD guitar tuning. His best known pieces include "Northwest Passage," "Barrett's Privateers," "The Mary Ellen Carter," "Make and Break Harbour," "The Idiot," "The Field Behind the Plow," "Lies ," "Fogarty's Cove," and "Forty-Five Years."

Some of his songs were in the style of sea shanties, though his brother Garnet once remarked that he would "get seasick crossing a wet lawn."

Rogers died of smoke inhalation when the flight he was travelling on, Air Canada Flight 797, caught fire while flying from Texas to Toronto, Ontario, forcing the airliner to make an emergency landing at the Cincinnati airport. Although firm evidence is lacking, it has been reported that Rogers would probably have survived had he not engaged himself in seeing others safely off the airplane.

Legacy

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, continue to be active performers and form a significant part of the fabric of contemporary Canadian folk music. It can only be imagined how many more notable songs Rogers would have written had he lived longer. Following his death he was nominated for the 1984 Juno Award in the category for "Best Male Vocalist." In 1993 his posthumous album Home in Halifax was likewise nominated for "Best Roots and Traditional Album."

His widow, Ariel Rogers, continues to oversee his enduring legacy. His music and lyrics have been featured in numerous written publications and films. For instance, his lyrics have appeared in school poetry books, taking their place alongside acknowledged classics. His song "Northwest Passage" was featured in the last episode of the TV show Due South, his songs "Barrett's Privateers" and "Watching The Apples Grow" having been previously featured. In the 2005 CTV made-for-TV movie on the life of Terry Fox, Rogers' "Turnaround" is the music over the closing shot. As the movie ends, Fox is depicted, alone, striding up a hill, while the lyric "And yours was the open road. The bitter song / The heavy load that I'll never share, tho' the offer's still there / Every time you turn around," forges a link between these Canadian icons.

Adrienne Clarkson, who, prior to serving as the Governor General of Canada from 1999–2005, had worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, highlighted Rogers' career in a 1989 television documentary when she introduced the show called "One Warm Line" on CBC television; she also quoted Rogers in her inaugural address.

The Stan Rogers Folk Festival is held every year in Canso, Nova Scotia.

History and discography

Rogers was signed to RCA records for a short period of time in the 1970s, when he wrote and recorded some of his own material. This period resulted in five singles, Here's To You Santa Claus in 1970, The Fat Girl Rag in 1971, and Three Pennies, Guysborough Train and Past Fifty in 1973.

In 1976, Rogers formed Fogarty's Cove Music, a label on which where he released the first four albums. Posthumously, another five have been released:

Fogarty's Cove (1976)
Turnaround (1978)
Between the Breaks ... Live! (1979)
Northwest Passage (1981)
For the Family (1983, posthumous) on another label
From Fresh Water (1984, posthumous)
Home in Halifax (1993, posthumous)
Poetic Justice (1996, posthumous)
From Coffee House to Concert Hall (1999, posthumous)

References

Obituary, "Stan Rogers, Folk Musician; In Fire Aboard DC9; At 33" Boston Globe June 5, 1983, page 1.