Died On This Date (May 26, 1933) Jimmie Rodgers / Folk Legend
themusicsover Jimmie Rodgers
September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933
Known as “The Singing Brakeman,” Jimmie Rodgers was one of country music’s first superstars, best known for his yodeling. A natural showman at an early age, Rodgers began arranging traveling road shows while still in his early teens. To keep him an eye on him, Rodgers’ father got him a job as a waterboy at the rail yard at which he worked. It was there that Rodgers began learning the guitar from hobos and rail workers. When he was 27, Rodgers came down with tuberculosis. Although it eventually put an end to his career with the railroad, it didn’t stop him from performing and recording. Rodgers recorded several records in the late ’20s, including “Blue Yodel” (or “T For Texas” as it was commonly known) which would make him a household name. By the early ’30s, Rodgers was mostly retired from the road due to the health problems brought on by the tuberculosis. In May of 1933, he traveled to New York for what would be his final recording sessions. It has been said that he needed to lay down and rest between each song. Rodgers died of a lung hemorrhage just two days after his final recording session. He was just 35.
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