Roger is infamous as the singer and writer of the song Fool for a Blonde from the classic horror movie “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and for the many incarnations of his own bands, and as lead guitarist for many artists from New York to Las Vegas.
Roger is the original guitarist of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band. In the early days it was just Jimmy and Roger. Two acoustic guitars, and vocals. After a year on the road as a duo, and with the success of a hit song, Come Monday, it was clear a band was needed for the bigger venues they were playing, so Jimmy added Greg “Fingers” Taylor on harmonica and keyboard, Harry Dailey on bass and Phillip Fajardo on drums. They also needed a steady hand to guide them on the road so road manager, Mike Wheeler, came onboard.
1) Hi Roger. Can we start by talking about your early life-your father hosted a radio show that included the guest appearances of many music personalities. Could you tell us about him and your early interest in music?
Actually the show didn’t have appearances by anyone. My dad, Ray”Groovey Boy” Bartlett, was one of the first DJs to play what was known then as “Race” music on mainstream radio down south. He was at radio station KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. His show was called “Groovey’s Boogie” and his DJ name was “Groovey Boy.” He played stuff by Muddy Waters, Johnny Otis, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Stick Horse Hammond, etc. He was also the announcer for the Louisiana Hayride on Saturday nights. TheHayride featured such greats as Hank Williams, Johnny Horton, Web Pierce, Kitty Wells and a young,pre-Colonel Tom Parker Elvis Presley. I remember, when I was 12 years old, going out to get oysters on the half shell with my Dad, Roy Orbison and Stonewall Jackson. So I had an unbelievably varied musical diet. Blues, jazz, country, rock, etc.
2) Can we jump ahead to meeting Tobe Hooper, and in writing the ,”Fool for a Blonde”, included in the film-The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. When was the song written and what inspired the song?
I have never met Tobe Hooper to this day. He went to different recording studios around Austin, Texas looking for music to use in the film and Jim Inmon, who owned a recording studio called Hill On the Moon, played him Fool for a Blonde. The song was inspired by the college girls who walked by a sidewalk cafe I used to sit and drink coffee at. It was called Les Amis and was right off the University of Texas campus. I think I should also credit my first true love, Becky Healey. She was the blonde for whom I was the biggest fool. My next song is just going to be titled “Fool.”
3) The song kind of added a touch of humor to “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. What did Tobe Hooper discuss with you about the song’s inclusion in the film, and what was your opinion of the final edit of the film?
As I said earlier, never met Tobe. Would like to, but never have. I have met all but one member of the cast because he was deceased. I thought the movie was scarey as hell!
4) Are you a fan of horror films yourself-any favorites that you want to mention?
I am and I sort lean toward the SciFi thrillers like Alien (Sigourney Weaver, what a babe!) and Event Horizon.
5) Has the official soundtrack to “Texas Chainsaw”been released?
An official soundtrack has never been released. There are plenty of people ripping off the musicians and songwriters who participated in the movie and every once in a while I try to get people to stop selling my song without paying me. But, people seem to think what I do for a living should be free. I’d like to see how they’d react of their source of income was deemed free for all.
6) What other songs have your written over the years, and do you ever attend horror film festivals and conventions.?
I have written hundreds of songs over the years. Besides songs in films, Jimmy Buffett recorded my song Dallas, on his album, A1a. I’ve had songs on TV and had other artists record my songs. I have four albums, Groovey Boy, Fool for a Blonde, City Streets (by my blues band Hell’s Kitchen), and Reunion… Live at the Windjammer, featuring the original members of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Oh yeah, did Imention that I’m the original guitar player in the Coral Reefer Band?
I also written soundtracks for a couple of independent films and sang one song on the soundtrack of the movie, Rancho Deluxe, starring Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston. I attended the 3oth anniversary reunion of the cast of TCM, but have attended any others. If anybody is listening out there, I would like to attend more festivals and conventions. Go to my website, www.rogerbartlett.com, and email me. I have a new album, Party Time, that is still in the works. I’ll let you know when it’s out.
OK Roger. Thanks for the interview!
John Wisniewski
