JOHNNY  ROGERS

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Johnny Rogers ist eine Entdeckung von Tommy Allsup.

Tommy Allsup was looking for a guy 'living' Buddy Holly, he found Johnny Rogers from Chicago, appeared on stage with him several times and sings together with Johnny on the new CD "Johnny Rogers & Tommy Allsup Singing Buddy Holly Songs".

Dies ist die neue CD, die Johnny Rogers und Tommy Allsup zusammen vorstellen: "Johnny Rogers & Tommy Allsup Singing Buddy Holly Songs". Auf der Webseite von Johnny Rogers kann man alle Titel dieser CD und die erste, die Johnny rausbrachte, mit allen Titeln in kompletter Länge anhören, eine Seltenheit und eine sehr gute Gelegenheit, diesen begabten Sänger kennenzulernen.   Die URL ist www.johnnyrogersband.com

Nachfolgend die erste CD von Johnny Rogers: "Now you're living"

Here's Johnny's first CD "Now you're living", a country CD with a very sad song telling the story of a girl that died aged 12, my favorite song, "Katie's smile".

Auch diese CD wird auf der o.g. Webseite vorgestellt und kann komplett angehört werden. Ich habe es getan und sie gefällt mir gut.   Das Lied, das den meisten Eindruck auf mich machte, ist ein sehr trauriges Lied von einem Mädchen, das im Alter von 12 Jahren starb:   "Katie's smile".

Johnny Rogers was born in Chicago to parents that were born in the southern states of Kentucky and Tennessee.  His father was a  radio personality in the late 40’s and early 50’s, who crossed paths with some of the biggest legends of music history Elvis, Hank Sr., George Jones, Lefty Frizel, Marty Robbins and Conway Twitty, to mention a few.  When he was very young his father gave him his first guitar. He had no interest in playing, until he heard Buddy Holly for the first time.  The song was Rave On.  He said it was like someone or something turned a switch on inside of him.  From that moment on he knew what he wanted to be in life and that was someone like Buddy.  His father showed him a few basic chords.  That was all he needed to get started playing.  While he was in high school he tried starting his own band, but finding kids his own age with the same taste in music seemed to be impossible.  So, he began to look for older guys that grew up listening to the music.  He started sneeking in the honky tonks with his fathers help and a fake ID.  But, he wasn’t there to drink, he was there to learn about becoming an entertainer.

Johnny und Tommy zusammen auf der Bühne. Wie man sieht, macht es beiden Freude, was sie da den Fans präsentieren.

Irgendwann, als er den Buddy Holly Titel "RAVE ON" hörte, war es so, als ob jemand oder etwas in Johnny Rogers einen Schalter umlegte, ab da begann der Buddy Holly - Virus von ihm Besitz zu ergreifen.

He looks, moves and sings like Buddy Holly.

Johnny’s father was very good friends with a Chicago honky tonk legend by the name of Jimmy Nichols.  Johnny’s father had given Jimmy his start in the late 50’s and now Jimmy would return the favor.  Johnny started playing lead guitar for Jimmy Nichols at the age of 15.  He was self taught and learned all styles of music.  Johnny made his debut on stage at the Off Broadway Lounge.  Immediately he was a big draw.  People would come from miles around to see the kid with horn rim glasses and lightning guitar licks.  Johnny continued playing guitar for the Chicago legend until he was 21 and it was time to start his own band and his own show.

Johnny will transport his audience back in time when you could go to your favorite malt shops with your favorite girl and dance to your favorite bands.  His show will start with his portrayal of country legend Johnny Cash.  By his side is the legendary Tommy Allsup (2 time Grammy winning Producer and Artist).  Tommy played on more than 6,500 sessions and was Buddy Holly’s friend and lead guitarist from 1958-1959.  He escaped death when flipping a coin wth Ritchie Valens.  Ritchie called heads and the rest is Rock N Roll history.  The second show Johnny will portray Elvis Presley re-creating his Sun Studio and early RCA years.  The show will climax with Johnny’s uncanny portrayal of the late great Buddy Holly.

Young Elvis

Johnny and   Buddy

Buddy's Grab    -     Buddy's Grave

Johnny Rogers with a very special guitar. 

This blue and black one was once owned by Prince, who gave it to Johnny.  

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Fotos vom Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake Iowa, Februar 2006:

From the SURF Ballroom, Clear Lake IA, February, 2006:

                       Courtesy of Shannon 

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SURF BALLROOM

CLEAR LAKE, IOWA

FEBRUAR 2006

                    Jetzt noch die Zugabe:                         Some more photos:

                                                    Courtesy of Dino

              Tommy Allsup and Johnny Rogers like cars from the rocking fifties.

                         Johnny must be an Alien, have a look at his eyes.

Tommy, Dino and his cousin Johnny.

From Lubbock TX, Buddy's 70th Birthday Celebrations in the Buddy Holly Center.

                           Once again thanx to Dino.

Johnny meets Buddy again.

Wer in Lubbock zu Besuch ist, läßt die Statue von Buddy nicht aus.

Johnny and Larry Holley, Buddy's oldest brother and father of Sherry Holley.

Johnny and Sherry Holley.

Johnny with Tinker Carlen.

Johnny and Jack Neal, who was Buddy Holly's first performing partner in 1953 on radio & TV. Jack Neal also wrote "Modern Don Juan".

Johnny once again with Sherry Holley.

Larry Welborn in red shirt with Johnny. Buddy, Larry Welborn and Bob Montgomery played together in the beginnings.

Johnny, Sherry Holley and her husband Tommy.

Johnny with Tommy Allsup in front of the entrance of the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock.

Johnny, Sherry and Tommy in Johnny's hotel. As far as I can see, must have been the Lubbock Inn.

Small people, big glasses.

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