His life was filled with struggle, and the mark he left on those he met and his accomplishments was unique.
Bob Phillips, Rawhide, was my first mentor. He encouraged me to keep writing. He told me to work to make a living, and write because it is your passion. He had a deep raspy southern voice that made you sit up and listen, just as his works do. He was a prolific writer and researcher, and his touch upon the field of Popular western culture will never be forgotten.
Rawhide, was passionate about his interest, and out of his passion came the classic work, "Roy Rogers: A Biography, Radio History, Television Career Chronicle, Discography, Filmography, Comicography, Merchandising and Advertising History, Collectibles Description, Bibliography and Index", published by McFarland (1995). Clearly demonstrating his gift for scholarly research, Bob compared his cross referenced files with those of Raymond White and numerous individuals across the country to produce this amazing tome.
In Roy Rogers, Bob examines Roys impact on North America. Looking at Roy Rogers and Dale Evans from a distinctly 2002 mentality concerning celebrity and celebrity 'worship', the staggering influence the couple had on youth of the nations is almost unbelievable. Today we have seen marketing floods for various stars, but the Roy Rogers phenomena outshone them all!
Starting with his extremely detailed year by year biography, and then moving into the different genres of merchandising and aspects of his professional life, this book reveals the 'truth' about Roy and Dale without losing it's air of respect.
For the Roy collector, this book presents many incredibly detailed lists. Recordings, publications by or about, television and movie appearances, and radio and comic book appearances are chronicled complete with dates, catalogue numbers, and brief descriptions. Particularly fascinating is the "Attire" Chapter (Ten) and it's analysis of Roy's clothes through out the years.
One of the most controversial issues concerning Roy Rogers is that of the 'Trigger' phenomena. To the fan, Trigger has transcended reality and become myth. Bob presents clear (or as clear as you can be) information on the horses who held the name Trigger and their histories. Alongside "Trigger Remembered" by William Witney, this chapter helps clarify the story of "The Smartest Horse I n The Movies".
Some facts that Bob Phillips presents are obscure, but they do represent Roy Rogers, the man. He was more than the "King of the Cowboys"; he was Roy, father , he was Roy the businessman; he was Roy, husband of Dale. For all of the glowing tributes he received in life and death, for all of the kids who looked up to him with admiration, for all of those who looked up to him as dad, he was deep down the boy from Duck Run, Ohio who had a dream to become a singer, and an actor. He succeeded. And in the wake of his success, left much more good than he ever could have imagined.
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