Jimmy Rodgers was a renowned singer with over 40 top ten hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born on September 18, 1933, in Camas, Washington, he was named after the famous country music legend Jimmie Rodgers.
Jimmie's mother, a piano teacher, taught him piano and guitar, and he formed bands and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was discovered on Arthur Godfrey's talent show and signed by Roulette Records. In the late 1950s, his easy folk-pop style and melodic renderings caught on, and he had an overnight hit with "Honeycomb" in 1957.
He released a string of top ten singles, including "Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again," "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," "Secretly," "Waltzing Matilda," and "Are You Really Mine." He toured with famous artists like Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Frankie Avalon, and made TV appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "American Bandstand."
Jimmie's popularity continued into the 1960s, with a TV summer series "The Jimmie Rodgers Show" and appearances in films like "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" and "Back Door to Hell." However, his life and career took a drastic turn in 1967 after an altercation with an off-duty police officer left him partially disabled.
Despite his struggles, Jimmie attempted a comeback, appearing on "The Joey Bishop Show" in 1969. However, he suffered from convulsions and balance issues, and was forced into retirement. He devoted himself to religion, wrote a biography, and worked on children's animation projects.
Jimmie was married three times and had five children. He passed away in January 2021, leaving behind a legacy as one of the early superstars of Rock & Roll.
