Roy Rogers (1911-1998) was a famous country singer and star of B-movie westerns. Nicknamed "King of the Cowboys", Rogers was married to Dale Evans from 1947 until his death on July 6, 1998. They were both guests on The Muppet Show episode 322. The pair performed Rogers' signature tune, "Happy Trails."
As one of the original members of the Sons of the Pioneers singing group, he performed with them full-time from 1933 to 1937. He was also elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 (under his real name Leonard Slye), and added as a solo artist in 1988. Rogers also starred on radio from 1944 until 1954, and on CBS television from 1951-1964.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans gave one of their last public performances together in the 1992 CBS-TV special Holiday Greetings from The Ed Sullivan Show, which also featured the Muppets.
References
- Dr. Bob signs off from Veterinarian's Hospital in The Muppet Show episode 524 saying, "Good night, and may the good Lord take a Viking to you," a riff on Rogers' traditional radio sign-off.
- Fred the Wonder Horse and Lance mention going to the movies on Sesame Street in Episode 1307, where they see a film featuring Trigger, Rogers' horse.
- Big Bird bounces a boy on his leg, comparing it to "Roy Rogers on Trigger" in Sesame Street Episode 2032.
- In Episode 2884 of Sesame Street, Big Bird tries mounting a horse "like Roy Rogers," unsuccessfully.