Gene Autry

GENE AUTRY d1998. American performer who gained fame as a singing cowboy on radio / film and TV for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s. He was also the owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California and the Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997. From 1934 to 1953, he appeared in 93 films and 91 episodes of his own television show. During the 1930-1940s, he personified the straight-shooting hero ; honest, brave & true and profoundly touched the lives of millions of Americans. He was also one of the most important figures in the history of country music, considered the second major influential artist of the genre's development after Jimmie Rogers. His singing cowboy movies were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience. In addition to his signature song, "Back in The Saddle Again", Autry is still remembered for his Christmas Holiday songs ; "Here Comes Santa Claus" / "Frosty the Snowman" / "An Old Fashioned Tree" and his biggest hit, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". He is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (for film, television, music, radio and live performance). He died aged 91 in California of lymphoma on October 2nd 1998.