Although I still have quite a way to go in re-designing Roger’s website, I would like to, at some point, include a timeline of his achievements. I’m debating whether or not to include references to historical events in the world to give added perspective, something a typical timeline would include, or just use mp3 songs for you to download and listen, to give a sense of historical perspective through the popular music of the time.

So I thought I’d give you an idea of the range of songs I might include if I did create a timeline like that, by serving some up here at The Peanut Gallery. And the songs would be based on the kind Roger would like, and those I think would be fun for one reason or another. I love history and music of all kinds and eras, so expect some selections you might not have, well, expected.

For those curious enough about Roger’s taste in music, his favorite artists and songs are rooted in, but certainly not limited to, many of the 1950’s and 1960’s songs he heard while growing up.

The timeline would give you, for example, a sense of where Roger was living with his family, or what goals he was reaching as a younger vendor at the Coliseum. And songs such as these would serve as a soundtrack to those days of years gone by…

1948 The Sportsmen & Mel Blanc The Woody Woodpecker Song (a nutty one, but good for a laugh. I told you I was gonna add something “out there” for one reason or another) - Roger was 5 years old when the Woody Woodpecker cartoons were gaining popularity. Even by then, Roger was already the big brother, with three sisters and one brother to watch over. The Owens family, including a set of fraternal twins, was growing at the speed of Woody’s bursting trademark giggle.

1956 Elvis Presley Heartbreak Hotel - Roger was 13, and he and his family had been recently united.  (NOTE: if you haven’t read “The Perfect Pitch” and would like to read it without knowing many of the facts of his biography, I suggest you scroll further to keep from finding out ahead of time. If you already have read it or don’t mind, then keep reading.)

They were united after being in foster homes for three years, while his dad, Rev. Ross Owens worked to bring them together eventually, and his mother, Mary tried to recover from her mental breakdown in 1953. She wouldn’t rejoin the family permanently until about 1960. But Roger was discovering Elvis for the first time, thanks to a neighbor boy who had an impressive collection of 45’s, gifts provided by his father.

1959 Coasters Along Came Jones - Roger was 16, and by this point, he had already found work as a soda vendor the previous year at the L.A. Coliseum at Dodger home games.  With the Dodgers themselves fresh from their historic move from Brooklyn, Roger couldn’t have been more excited having worked his way up to selling peanuts by the end of 1959. Hearing another silly song by the Coasters with his friend only made that year another one to cherish.

1961 Ricky Nelson Travelin’ Man - Roger was 18 and prepared to make the move, along with the entire Dodger team, to a new place to sell peanuts and play ball, a place called Dodger Stadium. With the smell of fresh cut grass of the new ballpark somehow calling him in his dreams, Roger couldn’t wait until the following year and the grand opening of the stadium, much like Ricky Nelson’s Travelin’ Man, who couldn’t wait to visit his “pretty Polynesian baby over the sea.”