ROGER WILLIAMS - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 222462

ROGER WILLIAMS
The Hall of Famer pianist is shown sitting at a piano in this black and white photograph, signed in black felt tip
Inscribed Photograph Signed: "To my wonderful friends, the/Laceys -/Roger Williams" in black felt tip. B/w, 8x10 overall, 7¼x8½ image (one surface). Publicity photograph by Bruno. Pianist Roger Williams (1924-2011) was born Louis Jacob Wertz, he was one of the most popular instrumentalists of the late 1950s and 1960s. Between 1955 and 1972, he had 38 hit albums and 22 hit singles, including "Autumn Leaves", which reached No. 1 on the charts in 1955. Williams, who studied under jazz pianists Lenny Tristano and Teddy Wilson at Julliard, got his big break when he was scheduled as the accompanist for a vocalist on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Show. When the singer didn't appear, Williams played a solo spot that so impressed the head of Kapp Records that he was signed to a recording contract. In addition to "Autumn Leaves", his Top Ten singles included "Near You" and "Born Free" and the Top Ten albums, Songs of the Fabulous Fifties (1957), Till (1958), Maria (1962) and Born Free (1966). Williams, the first pianist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has played for every U.S. President from Harry Truman to Bill Clinton. Photographer's imprint at lower left margin of image. Lightly creased at upper and lower blank margins. Otherwise, fine condition.