David Rogers also known as David "Feet" Rogers (February 14, 1935 â October 7, 1983) was a Hawaiian lap steel guitarist. He is known for his unique style and significant contributions to traditional Hawaiian music. He was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 2019.
Rogers was born in Kalihi, a neighborhood on the island of Oûahu, and grew up surrounded by music. His father, George "Pops" Rogers, was a Hawaiian steel guitarist, and his uncle, Benny Rogers, played steel guitar for Genoa Keawe. Rogers studied under David Keli'i, the steel guitarist for the Hawaii Calls radio program. He favored a D major tuning passed down through his family, which he viewed as a cultural inheritance to be carefully preserved.
In the 1960s, Rogers became an original member of the Sons of Hawaii, a group that included Gabby Pahinui on slack key guitar, Eddie Kamae on ukulele, and Joe Marshall on upright bass. Together, they spearheaded a revival of grassroots Hawaiian music, focusing on traditional songs rather than the swing-oriented "Waikiki" style that many contemporary artists pursued.
"Rogers's understated and minimalist approach to steel guitar complemented the band's sound, adding a subtle yet powerful layer of expression that many listeners regarded as essential to the authenticity of Hawaiian music." Eddie Kamae praised the steel guitar's role in enhancing the natural beauty of the group's arrangements, noting that it distinguished their sound at a time when steel guitar had fallen out of favor.
Rogers was featured as a steel guitar soloist on National Geographic's 1974 album "The Music of Hawaii" and appeared in the documentary The History of the Sons of Hawaii. His playing inspired a new generation of steel guitarists, and his influence extended far beyond Hawaii's shores. Fellow musicians Fred Lundt and Moe Keale have recounted how Rogers's heartfelt playing and his philosophy of "filling" the music rather than overpowering it left a profound impression.
Rogers worked as a merchant marine, often balancing these duties with his role in the Sons of Hawaii. His absence was keenly felt whenever he was at sea, and the band would often pause performances until his return, reflecting the deep respect they had for his contributions.
David "Feet" Rogers died from cancer on October 7, 1983, at the age of 48.