Roger Miller: king of the road (1936-1992)

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 11:54 AM

Miller, Roger - OH BOY CLASSICS PRESENTS ROGER MILLER 16-song collection from 1998 available for the first time. Includes hits such as "King of the Road", "Husbands And Wives", "When Two Worlds Collide" among others. Liner notes written by Kris Kristofferson Release date 07/25/2000 CD...OHBO-CD400...M Available at CAMSCO $13.49

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: L R Mole
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 11:17 AM

I can't recall the verses offhand, but the chorus to "One Dyin' and a Buryin'" will stick in my head for days ("No cryin'/Six carryin'me/I want to be free.") Good tune.

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 06:45 PM

Side Note: "Big River" is really great. On the TNN special, John Goodman reprised his role as Pat Finn, Huck's daddy, singing "Dadgum Guvmint" wonderfully. I like John Goodman and it gave me a new appreciation for him as a stage actor.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 06:27 PM

There is a CD BOX set available, 4 disc I believe, with all his songs(over 100 or so) along with a nice biography, pictures etc.

It's called "The Genius of Roger Miller: King of The Road" It's nice, I own a copy.

Mac

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 01:57 PM

There is an "Roger Miller Official Website" which contains a lengthy biography. (I wish it contained a handy discography and lyrics, but apparently it doesn't.) I haven't read it yet, so I don't know if it deals with his alcoholism. I do recall there was a long hiatus in his career when he wasn't much heard from.

Yeah, I admire his songs. He would be a good candidate for a tribute album. Does anybody know if one exists? (If so, please post a message here AND on the tribute album thread.)

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 01:22 PM

Am I the only one who remembers his drinking problem? While in college, I saved an outrageous amount of money (for me) to see him in concert in NY the night before a key final exam. He came out, sang three songs, and said "I can't handle this" and it was over. I'm still angry. Well, a little pissed anyway.
Mary

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: Susie
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 12:46 PM

When I first discovered Mudcat and the Lyrics Database, I spent many happy and fruitful hours looking for half remembered words to never-to-be-forgetten tunes. King of the Road was just such a one. I live with it every day now, having used the midi file to interrupt anything I'm doing and play me the tune to remind me of a daily deadline at 4 p.m. I'm getting so used to this now that at about 3:45, I start singing King of the Road - much to everyone else's amusement in the office.

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: Pseudolus
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 12:35 PM

I saw the show Big River and I have the CD. I was surprised to see in the program that he wrote the music for the show. at first I thought, well Huck Finn, Roger Miller, that'll work. but as Gary T said, many genres, all done well. If for some reason you're not a fan, pick up the big River CD......it may convert you, if you're already a fan, you probably have the CD!!!

Frank

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: Homeless
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 12:10 PM

One of the first songs I ever learned to play on the organ. My sister's Brownie troop sang and acted out "England Swings" when I was just a wee sprite, and I still remember that well (one of my very few childhood memories). Now, my daughters really like the songs in Disney's Robin Hood - which has Roger Miller playing and singing.

I saw an episode of Hee-Haw many, many years ago that had Roger Miller singing The Battle of New Orleans and a fella acting out the various parts of the song with kitchen implements (the setting was a restaurant). Still laugh at the 'gator-cannon when I think about it.

At a contradance, the first time I heard "The Eighth of January" and started singing "The Battle of New Orleans" along with it.

Boy, the name Roger Miller sure brings back a cascade of memories.

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: Gary T
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 12:01 PM

A consummate songwriter, often overlooked. I understand he wrote all the songs for the musical "Big River", an adaptation of "Huckleberry Finn". Something like 6, 8, 10 genres of music in that show, all done well. And then there are his chart hits, and how many Grammys?

He was a master of unconventional/unexpected vocal phrasing. It sounded so natural, but trying to sing many of his songs was a challenge, because he phrased things in ways you didn't hear elsewhere. My favorite--"Engine, Engine, Number Nine".

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 11:10 AM

He had a helluva' career and was quite a character. Sure, I remember him....He was pretty one-off. Did you see the tribute show on TNN? Really great!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: Bagpuss
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 11:07 AM

And I just loved The Proclaimers version of King of the Road!

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: GUEST,S
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 10:58 AM

Many good hours learning to Lindy and dancing to that song.

Subject: RE: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 09:32 AM

about umpty-gazillion hours of singing "King of the Road" while on trips with my family. NONE of my family will forget...

Subject: Roger Miller: king of the road
From: mactheturk
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 09:12 AM

More of a bridge builder, really. This guy not only wrote songs that appealed to all of us. In the early 60's, millions put aside their Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams albums long enough to listen to the likes of "Chug-A-Lug", "Dang Me", and "Kansas City Star".

An acoustic bridge builder for the masses, a true gentleman an a great songwriter.

Does anyone remember?

Mac