Roy Rogers means the modern master in the art of slide guitar. His versatility with the technique is nothing short of astonishing.” – All Music Guide
“That’s not a slide on Roy Rogers’ pinky; it’s a time machine. With it, Rogers transports you to the Mississippi Delta’s past and future. – Guitar Player
Roy Rogers is considered one of the world’s preeminent master Delta slide guitarists. With over 20 recordings to his credit, Rogers has garnered 8 Grammy nominations for producing, songwriting, and as a recording artist. His collaborations, which include producing critically acclaimed Grammy-nominated recordings for John Lee Hooker and Ramblin' Jack Elliott and collaborations with Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Bela Fleck, Allan Toussaint, Sammy Hagar, and Ray Manzarek, among others, have received major media accolades globally. Rogers, having performed worldwide for more than four decades, has earned a global reputation for delivering searing performances which have been named festival favorites at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, Montreux in Switzerland, Pistoia in Italy, and many North American festivals in Canada and the United States.
Born in Redding in 1950 and named after Hollywood’s King of the Cowboys, Rogers grew up in the Bay Area of California and started playing guitar at the age of 12. He became entranced by recordings of the blues, especially the work of Robert Johnson, and by age 13 was playing in a local R & R band. Rogers quickly became a blues fanatic and hit the San Francisco’s ‘60s club scene, even once taking his little brother to see Jimi Hendrix perform. His life changed when John Lee Hooker asked him to go on tour in 1982. Rogers became John’s friend, musical director, business manager on the road, and eventually his producer for four Grammy albums of note: “The Healer”, which won a Grammy for both Hooker and Raitt, as well as “Mr. Lucky”, “Boom Boom”, and “Chill Out”. Rogers also produced “Friends of Mine” and “The Long Ride” for folk legend Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, which also garnered Grammy nominations.
In 2023, Rogers re-entered the live performance scene after the pandemic, signing with the Cumberland Music Collective Agency in Nashville. That same year, he joined Bonnie Raitt for dates of her ‘Just Like That’ performing solo in support of the tour and joining Raitt’s band at the end of her show for some slide fun! Rogers continues to perform with Raitt in 2025 for select dates, as well as his long-time band, the Delta Rhythm Kings.
“Rogers turns in performances that are searing, soulful, and spiritual by turns…” – Washington Post
You may also like the following events from Freight & Salvage:
- This Wednesday, 14th May, 06:30 pm, Meet the Music Team at The Freight in Berkeley
- This Saturday, 17th May, 08:00 pm, Bill Frisell – Good Dog with Greg Leisz, Tony Scheer, and Kenny Wolleson at the Freight in Berkeley
- This Sunday, 18th May, 08:00 pm, Bill Frisell – Good Dog with Greg Leisz, Tony Scheer, and Kenny Wolleson at the Freight in Berkeley
Also check out other
Music events in Berkeley,
Entertainment events in Berkeley,
Festivals in Berkeley.
