Roy Rogers & Trigger

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Roy Rogers & Trigger, Glasgow, 1954

Roy Rogers & Trigger at Central Station, Glasgow, February 14, 1954 (c) Herald & Times Group

The arrival of singing cowboy Roy Rogers and his trusty “four-legged friend”, Trigger, at Central Station on a cold Sunday in 1954 is the stuff of local legend, and a whole generation of wee boys remember the excitement of seeing their heroes in the flesh.

Roy Rogers & Trigger, Glasgow, 1954

Children had begun assembling outside the Central Hotel from as early as 5am, and, at around 1pm, Rogers and his cowgirl wife Dale Evans pulled up in a red sports car and entered the station where thousands had been expecting them off a train. Crush barriers and police struggled to contain the excited youngsters, many of whom were kitted out in cowboy gear. Like a Pied Piper, Rogers was followed by many of them as he made his way to the Empire Theatre – where he would be performing in a week’s worth of sold-out shows – and then back to the hotel.

The greatest excitement, however, came when Trigger arrived at around 6pm. Rogers, in his white cowboy suit and silver pointed shoes, led the world’s most famous horse round the crush barriers. To thunderous cheers, Trigger bowed for the thrilled youngsters – despite being jet-lagged after his long flight from the States earlier in the day and despite having already met 3000 members of his public at Prestwick Airport.

A seasoned celebrity, Trigger performed beautifully for the assembled cameras, “signing” in at reception (he had a pen in his mouth), prancing up the hotel’s grand staircase (two steps at a time) and trotting along the second floor corridor to “his” room, number 130. After having his mane combed, the horse star showed off a few of his 100 tricks. He bowed on one knee, nodded “yes” then “no”, yawned heartily and kissed Mrs Rogers.

Tarpaulin covered the floor of room 130 – which was otherwise appropriately decked out for Hollywood royalty, with a pile of plumped-up pillows, a gold eiderdown and a bowl of roses. After his personal appearance and photo call, Trigger left the hotel to “sign in” at another establishment – the British Rail Stables on Parliamentary Road, where, his young fans were assured, he was the guest of some friendly Clydesdales.

Source: Glasgow Herald (c) Alison Kerr, 2012

 

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Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Scotland

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