Miller performed at the Snake River Stampede in Nampa back in 1972.īoise broadcast historian Frank Aden remembers it well.
Rumor has it his main inspiration for the “King of the Road” song originated right here in Boise.
Miller was known for composing songs while on the road, scribbling down lyrics here and there, between all his concerts and TV appearances. Roger Miller’s song “King of the Road” was a huge hit back then, topping the Billboard charts and selling more than ten million records. What has also survived is the belief that he got the inspiration for his signature song –- “King of the Road” -– right here in the Treasure Valley.īut did he really? Or is it simply an urban legend?īack in the Sixties, when songs were played on vinyl records and AM radios, listeners knew well the story of a down-on-his luck hobo … smoking stogies … railing the rails … earning his keep wherever he could.
BOISE, Idaho - Twenty-seven years ago this month, country music icon Roger Miller died of cancer … leaving behind a whole slew of hit songs that have survived over the years.
