S.E. Rogie

Sooliman Ernest Rogers or S.E. Rogie was born in 1926 in the town of Fonikoh, Pujehun District in southern Province Sierra Leone. He began performing early, while supporting himself as a tailor, and he came to use his nickname "Rogie" as his official surname. In the 1960s, he became a professional musician, singing in four languages. His hits include "Koneh Pehlawo", "Go Easy with Me" and "My Lovely Elizabeth". He formed a band called The Morningstars in 1965. In 1973 Rogie left Africa and travelled to the United States. There he performed at elementary and high schools across California, and received awards from the US Congress and Senate, the cities of Berkeley and Oakland, California.

In 1988, invited by British disc jockey Andy Kershaw, he moved to England, where he bought a home in Finchley. He died in 1994 at the age of 68, shortly after recording his last album, Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana. He had undergone heart bypass surgery some months earlier but against medical advice travelled to perform in Russia, where he lost consciousness while performing onstage.

Links To Peel
On his 01 July 1991 (BBC World Service) show, Peel talked about his visit to Sierra Leone in 1989 and regretted that he was not able to get Sierra Leone musicians to record for the UK market. To repay that, Peel played a track from S.E. Rogie on his show.

Shows Played
1991
 * 16 June 1991: Salonbla Amoo Goyia Gbateh (Sierra Leonians - Lets Unite) (CD - The New Sounds Of S.E. Rogie) Worker's Playtime
 * 22 June 1991: Gewoh Salone Mehum Gbay (album -  New Sounds Of S.E. Rogie) Worker's Playtime
 * 01 July 1991 (BBC World Service): Gewoh Salone Mehum Gbay (May God Protect And Bless Sierra Leone) (LP - The New Sounds of S.E. Rogie) Worker's Playtime