Gene Autry was as all-American
as they came. Although he came from humble
beginnings, he triumphed as a rodeo, radio, film, television, and music star.
He eventually amassed a vast empire of radio and television stations, and ultimately, a
Major League baseball team!
The first of the great singing cowboys, Gene Autry was everywhere in
the 1940s and '50s; his face was seen on every imaginable piece of merchandise, were it
records, coloring books, note pads, comic books, and even lunch boxes.
As a further reminder of Gene's presence today, all one need do is be
around during the Christmas holidays, and hear some of his most enduring songs, such as
"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Up on the House Top," the classic
he penned, "Here Comes Santa Claus," and even a beautiful rendition of
"Silent Night." Gene was just that versatile. With 2000 recordings under his
belt and over 40 million records sold, the multi-talented artist was the first singer to
ever be awarded a Gold Record, and also the first to have an album go Platinum.
Remarkably, the 9 Gold Record recipient composed as many as 300 songs in all!
Gene followed his own "Code of the West," which simply meant
he wouldn't take advantage of weaker men, and would always be a friend in deed to those in
need of one. That was Gene Autry through and through. He had his own kind of handsome
presence, combined with a cool............................
Note: Gene Autry is the only performer on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame to have as many as five stars!!
Also included in this article:
"Peter Breck Remembers Gene Autry & Roy Rogers"
"Steve Kiefer--A Fan Meets Gene Autry"
William Campbell: "The Birth of Gene Autry in Film"
"The Western Films of Gene Autry"
"The Gene Autry Show"
"Gene Autry's Cowboy Code" |
