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The Piano Lesson
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The Piano Lesson
Written by
August Wilson
Characters
Doaker
Berniece
Boy Willie
Lymon
Avery
Wining Boy
Maretha
Grace
Date premiered
26 November 1987
Place premiered
Yale Repertory Theatre
New Haven, Connecticut
Original language
English
Series
The Pittsburgh Cycle
Subject
The various members of an African-American family in the 1930s strive to overcome the past.
Genre
Drama
Setting
The living room and kitchen of Doaker Charles's household. Pittsburgh, 1936.
The Piano Lesson is a 1987 play by American playwright August Wilson. It is the fourth play in Wilson's The Pittsburgh Cycle. Wilson began writing this play by playing with the various answers regarding the possibility of "acquir[ing] a sense of self-worth by denying one's past".[1] The Piano Lesson received the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
A Romare Bearden painting, The Piano Lesson, inspired Wilson to write a play featuring a strong female character to confront African-American history, paralleling Troy in earlier Fences.[1] However, on finishing his play, Wilson found the ending to stray from the empowered female character as well as from the question regarding self-worth. What The Piano Lesson finally seems to ask is: "What do you do with your legacy, and how do you best put it to use?"[2]
Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the family piano. The play focuses on the arguments between a brother and a sister who have different ideas on what to do with the piano. The brother, Boy Willie, is a sharecropper who wants to sell the piano to buy the land (Sutter's land) where his ancestors toiled as slaves. The sister, Berniece, remains emphatic about keeping the piano, which shows the carved faces of their great-grandfather's wife and son during the days of their enslavement.
Contents
[hide]
1 Plot
2 Characters
3 Cast and crew[8][9]
3.1 First production
3.2 Second production
3.3 Third production[12]
3.4 Film adaptation
4 Awards and nominations
4.1 2013 Off-Broadway production
5 References
6 Bibliography
7 External links
Plot[edit]
Act 1, Scene 1 Boy Willie and Lymon arrive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Mississippi and enter the Charles' household at five in the morning. They have brought a truck of watermelons to sell. Against Doaker's advice, Boy Willie wakes his sister Berniece, and tells her of Sutter's death. Berniece accuses Boy Willie of shoving Sutter down a well, and she asks him to leave. Instead, Boy Willie wakes Berniece's daughter, Maretha, causing Berniece to run back up the stairs where she sees Sutter's ghost. Lymon notices the piano which Willie intends to sell to buy Sutter's land. Doaker insists that Berniece will not sell the piano, because she refused to sell when Avery brought a buyer to the house. Willie insists that he will convince her. Maretha comes downstairs, and Willie asks her to play the piano. She plays the beginning of a few simple tunes, and he answers her song with a boogie-woogie. Berniece enters with Avery, and Willie asks whether she still has the prospective buyer's name, explaining he came to Pittsburgh to sell the piano. Berniece refuses to listen and walks out.
Act 1, Scene 2 Wining Boy and Doaker talk in the kitchen when Boy Willie and Lymon enter and claim to have located the piano buyer. Willie's uncles warn him that Sutter will cheat him but Boy Willie refuses to listen. The story behind Lymon and Boy Willie's term in Parchman Prison Farm is revealed. Lymon and Willie both gather different perspectives from their experiences. Lymon wants to flee to the North where he will be better treated, while Willie feels that whites only treat blacks badly if the blacks do not try and stop them. They ask Wining Boy to play the piano, but instead he explains that being seen as nothing more than a piano player became a burden.
Doaker then tells the story of the piano's history. Generations earlier, Sutter, their family's slave-owner, broke up a family by selling a mother and child to pay for the piano which he bought for his wife as an anniversary present. The wife was happy with the piano but missed having the slaves, so Sutter had that family's husband/father (who was a carpenter and too valuable to sell), carve their likenesses on the piano. He carved likenesses of his entire history on the piano. In 1911, Boy Willie's father stole the piano from the Sutters; in retaliation he was killed. Willie declares that these are stories of the past and that the piano should now be put to good use. Willie and Lymon attempt to move the piano to test its weight. As soon as they try to move it, Sutter's ghost is heard. Berniece tells Willie to stop and informs him that he is selling his soul for money. Willie refutes her, Berniece blames Crawley's death on Willie, and the two engage in a fight. Upstairs, Maretha is confronted by the ghosts, and she screams.
Act 2, Scene 1 Doaker and Wining Boy are again together in the house alone. Doaker confesses that he saw Sutter's ghost playing the piano and feels that Berniece should discard the piano so as to prevent spirits from traumatizing the Charles family. Wining Boy disagrees. Lymon and Willie walk into the room after a watermelon sale. Wining Boy sells his suit and shoes to Lymon, promising its swooning effects on women. Both Lymon and Willie leave the house in hot pursuit of women.
Act 2, Scene 2 Later that day as Berniece is preparing for her bath, Avery enters and proposes that Berniece should open up and let go. He tells her that she cannot continue to live her life with Crawley's memory shut inside her. Berniece changes the topic and asks Avery to bless the house, hoping to destroy the spirit of the Sutter ghost. Avery then brings up the piano and tells Berniece she should learn to not be afraid of her family's spirits and play it again. Berniece breaks down her story of her mother's tears and blood mingled with her father's soul on the piano and refuses to open her wounds for everyone to see.
Act 2, Scenes 3–5 Boy Willie enters the Charles house with Grace and begins to fool around on the couch. Berniece orders them out and opens the door to see Lymon. Lymon is upset over his inability to woo women and begins to talk about women's virtues to Berniece. The two kiss, breaking Berniece's discomfort over Crawley's death, and Berniece heads back upstairs.
The next morning, Lymon and Willie try to move the piano out and are stopped by Uncle Doaker. Willie, frustrated, demands that he will sell the piano no matter what. The day to move the piano draws closer. Excited to sell the piano, Willie quickly partakes on his actions without a care of his sister's words. Berniece appears with Crawley's gun, leading Doaker and Avery to urge them to talk it through first. Sutter's presence as a ghost is suddenly revived. Avery attempts to drive the ghost away with his blessings but is not successful. Suddenly, Berniece knows that she must play the piano again as a plea to her ancestors. Finally, the house is led to a calm aura, and Willie leaves.
Characters[edit]
Doaker Charles: The owner of the Charles household; the uncle of Berniece and Boy Willie. He lives with his niece Berniece and great-niece Maretha. A tall and thin 47-year-old man, Charles recounts the most detailed parts of his lives with his job on the railroad. Doaker plays the role of the storyteller, giving detailed and long accounts of the piano's history. Due to his old age, his connection to the past is expressed through his stories.
"Ain’t nobody said nothing about who's right and who's wrong. I was just telling the man about the piano. I was telling him why we say Berniece ain’t gonna sell it."[3]
Doaker is also one of the only characters that truly understand Berniece's desire not to sell the piano so that the legacy of their family may remain. He may maintain a neutral view of whether the piano should be kept or sold, but he does prevent Boy Willie from taking the piano and bolting without Berniece's knowledge.
Boy Willie: Berniece's impulsive 30-year-old brother represents the lack of accepting one's past. A sharecropper and recently delivered out of prison from Mississippi, Boy Willie plans to sell the piano and use the earnings to buy the land where his ancestors had formerly toiled. His use of the legacy comes down to practicality; Willie finds the rich culture of his history engraved on the piano through pictures, blood, and tears to be a simple conversion to money. Rather than looking upon his past and accepting it, Boy Willie finds the constant need to prove himself as equal to the white man.
"If my daddy had seen where he could have traded that piano in for some land of his own, it wouldn’t be sitting up here now. He spent his whole life farming on somebody else's land. I ain’t gonna do that. See, he couldn’t do no better. When he come along he ain’t had nothing he could build on. His daddy ain’t had nothing to give him. The only thing my daddy had to give me was that piano. And he died over giving me that. I ain’t gonna let it sit up there and rot without trying to do something with it."[3]
Unable to understand the importance of keeping one's legacy around one to understand and grow from it, Boy Willie only concerns himself with labels and capital. In the last scene of the book, after Berniece calls to the ancestors, Boy Willie finally understands that there is no escape from living his ancestral legacy and the only way to benefit from it is to learn from it.
Lymon: Lymon is the 29-year-old friend of Boy Willie and is much more secretive and shy in comparison, however, upon becoming more comfortable with the family, his attitude changes to be a sympathizer who doesn't offer many original opinions. He does not speak brashly and attempts to escape the law by staying in the North and starting a new life.
"Yeah, I can see why you say that now. I told Boy Willie he ought to stay up here with me."[3]
One of the few characters in this play not related to the members of the Charles household, Lymon offers help and sporadic advice to the other characters. He listens to Doaker's version of the piano story, sympathizes with Boy Willie's desires to sell the piano, and attempts to understand Berniece's connection to the piano. Lymon is also obsessed with women and plays a large role in allowing Berniece to slowly relieve the mourning of Crawley, her deceased husband.
"I just dream about woman. Can’t never seem to find the right one."[4]
His desire to please women and find his soul mate softens Berniece's gaze on crude men and gives him a slight leeway to kiss her.
Berniece: The 35-year-old mother of Maretha, Berniece symbolizes the guardian of her ancestors' past. She remains the only member of the family to adamantly demand the keepsake of the piano heirloom. Her relation with her brother further portrays her mourning of her late husband Crawley. Blaming Boy Willie for Crawley's death, Berniece questions Boy Willie's foolish actions more than others. While Boy Willie represents an opposing figure to their father Boy Charles by wanting to be a property owning man, Berniece draws similarities to her mother Mama Ola who never seemed to recover from the mourning of her husband either.
"Look at this piano. Look at it. Mama Ola polished this piano with her tears for seventeen years. For seventeen years she rubbed on it till her hands bled. Then she rubbed the blood in...mixed it up with the rest of the blood on it. Every day that God breathed life into her body she rubbed and cleaned and polished and prayed over it. ‘Play something for me, Berniece. Play something for me, Berniece.’ Every day... You always talking about your daddy but you ain’t never stopped to look at what his foolishness cost your mamma."[3]
Berniece feels as if the piano should stay in the home rather be sold and it is a family heirloom. The piano is in her residence and was the one who was led to the piano first. She did not feel the need to rearrange her ancestors' past and instead embraced it. To Berniece, the piano represents her father's life, since he died over it, and her mother's toil, since she incessantly asked Berniece to play after his death.[5] Originally playing the role of the messenger between the dead ancestors and the living descendants, Berniece prefers to stop channeling her family's ghosts after her mother's death. Since she does not want to disturb the spirits in the piano, Berniece leaves the piano untouched and does not play it.
"I told you I don’t play on that piano...When my mama died I shut the top on that piano and I ain’t never opened it since. I was only playing it for her. When my daddy died seem like all her life went into that piano. She used to have me play on it...say when I played it she could hear my daddy talking to her. I used to think them pictures come alive and walked through the house. Sometime late at night I could hear my mama talking to them. I said that wasn’t gonna happen to me I don’t play that piano ‘cause I don’t want to wake them spirits. They never be walking around in this house."[6]
To save her daughter from the burdens that Berniece had to endure from playing the piano and helping her mother go through the pain and misery of losing her husband, Berniece refuses to let the spirits of her ancestors come back into her life. However, in the last scene, Berniece finally resumes her role as the middle person between the living and dead. In this last scene, Berniece plays the piano again and fulfills her duty to her family's legacy.
Maretha: The 11-year-old daughter of Berniece, Maretha plays the role of the future generation for the Charles family. Although Berniece teaches her how to play the piano, she does not allow any history of the piano to become apparent to Maretha.
"Maretha...don’t know nothing about it...She don’t have to carry all of that with her. She got a chance I didn’t have. I ain’t gonna burden her with that piano." ."[6]
Maretha's encounters with ghosts are approached without Berniece's liking. Maretha also allows experimentation among the future progeny of the Charles family, leading observations regarding the best way to pass down family history.
Avery Brown: A 38-year-old preacher who has been attempting to court Berniece ever since the death of Crawley, Avery Brown is a man of honest and good intentions. Constantly stressing his Christian view on things and advocating his hopes to build a congregation, Avery is aware that Berniece will never sell her piano heirloom. Also not related to the Charles family, Avery often offers advice to Berniece in an effort to help her let go of the fears of her past and the lingering mourning of her husband.
"You got to put all that behind you, Berniece. That's the same thing like Crawley. Everybody got stones in their passway. You got to step over them or walk around them. You picking them up and carrying them with you. All you got to do is set them down by the side of the road. You ain’t got to carry them with you. You can walk over there right now and play that piano...and God will walk over there with you."[7]
Avery's humble personality further emphasizes Berniece's lack of relieving her deceased husband's memory. He tries desperately to help her find her path and supports her through her pain. In the final scene, Avery's blessings on the house help bring Berniece back to her position of communicating between the living and the deceased.
Wining Boy: The comical figure in The Piano Lesson, the Wining Boy is the 56-year-old elder brother of Doaker Charles. He tries to portray the image of a successful musician and gambler, but his music and attire are extremely dated. Instead of wanting to live in the present and the future like his nephew Boy Willie, Wining Boy drowns himself in the sorrows of his past. Whenever he ends up bankrupt, he wanders back into the Charles house to retell the days of the glory and fame.
"I give that piano up. That was the best thing that ever happened to me, getting rid of that piano...Now, the first three or four years of that is fun. You can't get enough whiskey and you can’t get enough women and you don’t never get tired of playing that piano. But that only last so long. You look up one day and you hate the whiskey, and you hate the women, and you hate the piano. But that's all you got. You can’t do nothing else. All you know how do is play the piano. Now, who am I? Am I me? Or am I the piano player?"[6]
His former days of glory emphasize the submergence of his soul in the past. Wining Boy is also the only other character, aside from Berniece, who can speak with the dead. He speaks to the Ghosts of the Yellow Dog and to his deceased wife, Cleotha.
Grace: One of the last figures to be added to the play, Grace shows the desires of both Boy Willie and Lymon. Both men attempt to be with her and play to her good graces. Since she is not a member of the Charles family, the tension she feels in the last scene of Act Two demonstrates how strong the presence of the ancestral ghosts are in the Charles household.
Mentioned characters
Crawley: Berniece's deceased husband of three years
Mama Ola: Berniece and Boy Willie's mother
Boy Charles: Berniece and Boy Willie's father
Sutter's Ghost: The man who owned the Charles family in the time of slavery
Cleotha: Wining Boy's deceased wife
Cast and crew[8][9][edit]
The Piano Lesson debuted as a staged reading at the 1987 National Playwrights Conference held in the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.[10]
First production[edit]
Opened: 26 November 1987
Location: Yale Repertory Theatre[11]
Cast
Doaker: Carl Gordon
Boy Willie: Samuel L. Jackson
Lymon: Rocky Carroll
Berniece: Starletta DuPois
Maretha: Chenee Johnson/Ylonda Powell
Avery: Tommy Hollis
Wining Boy: Lou Myers
Grace: Sharon Washington
Crew
Director: Lloyd Richards
Set Designer: E. David Cosier, Jr.
Costume Designer: Constanza Romero
Lighting Designer: Christopher Akerlind
Sound Designer: J. Scott Servheen
Musical Director: Dwight Andrews
Production Stage Manager: Maureen F. Gibson
Stage Manager: Gwendolyn M. Gilliam
Second production[edit]
Opened: 9 January 1988
Location: Huntington Theatre Company in Boston (Yale Repertory Theatre production)
Cast
Doaker: Carl Gordon
Boy Willie: Charles S. Dutton
Lymon: Rocky Carroll
Berniece: Starletta DuPois
Maretha: Jaye Skinner
Avery: Tommy Hollis
Wining Boy: Lou Myers
Grace: Sharon Washington
Producing Director: Peter Altman
Managing Director: Michael Maso
Director: Lloyd Richards
Set Designer: E. David Cosier, Jr.
Costume Designer: Constanza Romero
Lighting designer: Christopher Akerlind
Sound Designer: J. Scott Servheen
Musical Director: Dwight Andrews
Stage Manager: Gwendolyn M. Gilliam
Third production[12][edit]
Opened: 16 April 1990
Location: Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway, New York City
Cast
Doaker: Carl Gordon
Boy Willie: Charles S. Dutton
Lymon: Rocky Carroll
Berniece: S. Epatha Merkerson
Maretha: Apryl R. Foster
Avery: Tommy Hollis
Wining Boy: Lou Myers
Grace: Lisa Gay Hamilton
Director: Lloyd Richards
Set Designer: E. David Cosier, Jr.
Costume Designer: Constanza Romero
Lighting designer: Christopher Akerlind
Sound Designer: G. Thomas Clark
Musical Director: Dwight Andrews
Production Stage Manager: Karen L. Carpenter
Stage Manager: Russell Johnson
Film adaptation[edit]
A Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie entitled The Piano Lesson aired on CBS on February 5, 1995, starring Charles S. Dutton and Alfre Woodard. It was also directed by Lloyd Richards.[13]
Cast
Boy Willie: Charles S. Dutton
Berniece Charles: Alfre Woodard
Doaker: Carl Gordon
Avery: Tommy Hollis
Wining Boy: Lou Myers
Lymon: Courtney B. Vance
Maretha: Zelda Harris
Grace: Rosalyn Coleman
Ace: Tommy Lafitteá
Miss Ophelia: Lynne Innerst
Papa Willie Boy: Harold Surratt
Mama Berniece: Elva Branson
Sutter: Tim Hartman
Watermelon Man: Ben Tatar
Watermelon Lady: Alice Eisner
Awards and nominations[edit]
Awards
1990 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play
1990 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play
1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
1995 Peabody Award
Nominations
1990 Tony Award for Best Play
1995 Emmy Award Outstanding Made for Television Movie
1996 Emmy Award Outstanding Television Movie or Mini-Series
2013 Off-Broadway production[edit]
On April 3, the production earned 6 2013 Lucille Lortel Award nominations,[14] winning in 4 categories on May 5.[15] On April 23, the Off-Broadway production was recognized with Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play and with two Distinguished Performance Award nominations,[16] but failed to win any awards.[17] The production received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination.[18] The play earned three 58th Drama Desk Award nominations.[19] On May 7, the show earned a Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance to be presented on June 3.[20]
Dirden won a 2013 Obie Award for Performance on May 20, while Santiago-Hudson won one for Direction.[21][22] On May 8, the production was nominated for a 2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play Revival.[23] It was announced as the winner on May 21.[24]
Year
Award
Category
Nominee
Result
2013 Drama League Award Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play Nominated
Distinguished Performance Award Brandon J. Dirden Nominated
Roslyn Ruff Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Play Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Chuck Cooper Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Play Ruben Santiago-Hudson Nominated
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Revival Won
Outstanding Lead Actress Roslyn Ruff Won
Outstanding Lead Actor Brandon J. Dirden Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor Chuck Cooper Won
Outstanding Director Ruben Santiago-Hudson Won
Outstanding Lighting Design Rui Rita Nominated
Theatre World Award Best Debut Performance Brandon J. Dirden Won
Off Broadway Alliance Awards Best Play Revival Won
Obie Award Performance Brandon J. Dirden Won
Direction Ruben Santiago-Hudson Won
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b Bryer, Jackson R.; Hartig Mary C. Conversations with August Wilson, p.25.
Jump up ^ Shannon, Sharon G. The Dramatic Vision of August Wilson, p. 146.
^ Jump up to: a b c d Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson, Act 1, Scene 2.
Jump up ^ Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson, Act 2, Scene 3.
Jump up ^ Shannon, Sandra Garrett. The Dramatic Vision of August Wilson, Washington, D.C.: Howard University Press, 2004.
^ Jump up to: a b c Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson, Act 2, Scene 4.
Jump up ^ Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson, Act 2, Scene 2.
Jump up ^ Wilson, August: The Piano Man (August Wilson Century Cycle) "Production History"
Jump up ^ Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson, August Wilson Century Cycle, 2007. Foreword by Toni Morrison, 2007.
Jump up ^ Wilson, August: The Piano Man (August Wilson Century Cycle) "Production History"
Jump up ^ https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/10/theater/stage-wilson-s-piano-lesson.html
Jump up ^ The Piano Lesson at the Internet Broadway Database
Jump up ^ The Piano Lesson on IMDb
Jump up ^ Jones, Kenneth (2013-04-03). "Lucille Lortel Nominees Include The Flick, Murder Ballad, Jake Gyllenhaal, Vanessa Redgrave". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
Jump up ^ Healy, Patrick (2013-05-05). "'Piano Lesson' and 'The Whale' Win Lortel Awards". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew (2013-04-25). "Nominees Announced for 79th Annual Drama League Awards". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew (May 17, 2013). "'Kinky Boots', 'Pippin', 'Vanya and Sonia', 'Virginia 'Woolf? and More Win Drama League Awards". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew (May 13, 2013). Is Big Winner of 2012–13 Outer Critics Circle Awards "Pippin Is Big Winner of 2012–13 Outer Critics Circle Awards" Check |url= value (help). Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
Jump up ^ Hetrick, Adam (2013-05-19). "Billy Porter, Andrea Martin, Pippin, Matilda, Vanya and Sonia Win Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
Jump up ^ "2013 Theatre World Award Winners Announced". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew (2013-05-20). "Detroit, Grimly Handsome, Eisa Davis, John Rando, Shuler Hensley and More Are Obie Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
Jump up ^ Healy, Patrick (2013-05-20). "Obie Awards Honor 'Detroit' and 'Grimly Handsome'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew (2013-05-08). "Off Broadway Alliance Awards Nominees Announced; Christopher Durang, Sigourney Weaver Also Honored". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew (2013-05-21). "Natasha, Vanya and Sonia, Closer Than Ever, The Piano Lesson and More Win Off Broadway Alliance Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
Bibliography[edit]
Bryer, Jackson R., and Mary C. Hartig. Conversations with August Wilson. Jackson: University of Mississippi, 2006.
Wilson, August. The Piano Lesson. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2007.
Wilson, August (1990). The Piano Lesson. New York: Plume. ISBN 0-452-26534-7.
External links[edit]
The Piano Lesson at the Internet Broadway Database
The Piano Lesson at the Internet Broadway Database
The Piano Lesson at the Internet Off-Broadway Database (2012 Off-Broadway production)
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List of Thomas & Friends voice actors
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Thomas (the Tank Engine) & Friends is a British children's television series, first broadcast on the ITV network on 9 October 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry.
These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised trains and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Wilbert told to entertain his son, Christopher during his recovery from measles. Many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.
Until 2008, all characters were voiced by the narrator. Voices were given to the characters following the switch to full CGI animation in 2009.
Contents
1 Cast
1.1 Voices
1.2 Former voices
1.3 Guest voices
1.4 Online videos
1.5 Thomas and the Magic Railroad voices
2 Narrators
2.1 Current
2.2 Former
2.3 Guest
2.4 Timeline
2.4.1 Seasons
2.4.2 Specials
3 Characters
3.1 CGI Series
3.2 Movies
4 References
5 External links
5.1 Official websites
5.2 Other sites
Cast[edit]
Voices[edit]
Actor/Actress
Region
Role(s)
Notes
Joseph May US Thomas "The Adventure Begins" onwards
John Hasler UK
US/UK Rheneas (series 20 onwards)[1]
Tim Bain Aiden and Madeleine's father
David Bedella Victor, Carlos, The Mayor of Sodor and the Cuban man
Sanjeev Bhaskar Shankar
Sheena Bhattessa Noor Jehan and Charubala
Jamie Campbell Bower Skiff
Chipo Chung Hong-Mei
Nathan Clarke Alfie
Olivia Colman Marion
Jules de Jongh US Emily, Mavis (Season 13–16), Lady Hatt, The Duchess of Boxford, Stephen Hatt ("Diesel's Special Delivery"), Bridget Hatt, Bridget Hatt's Friends, Some Children, Little Boy in White and Light Blue Stripes Shirt and Red Shorts, The School Children, Teacher, The Laundry Lady, Little Girl in the Red Dress, The Ginger Haired Boy ("Pop Goes Thomas","Diesel's Special Delivery","Emily and Dash","Percy the Snowman","Emily's Winter Party Special", and "Pouty James"), The Blonde Haired Boy (Season 15 and Season 18), and The Blonde Haired Girl
US/UK Emily ("4-D: Bubbling Boilers" and the singing voice for "The Great Race" only), Caitlin ("Engine of the Future" only), and Alicia Botti
Jonathan Forbes Connor
Teresa Gallagher UK Emily, Lady Hatt (Season 13, "Day of the Diesels" and Season 15), Mavis (Season 13–16), The Duchess of Boxford, Stephen Hatt ("Diesel's Special Delivery"), Bridget Hatt, Bridget Hatt's friends, the teacher, the laundry lady, little boy in light white and light blue stripes shirt and red shorts, some children, the school children, little girl in the red dress, the blonde-hair girl, and the blonde-hair boy
US A blond-haired girl "Very Important Sheep"
A blonde-haired boy "Very Important Sheep" only
UK/US Belle, Frieda, Gina, Mavis, Annie, Clarabel, Judy, The Duchess of Boxford ("Percy's Lucky Day" only), Lady Hatt ("The Afternoon Tea Express" only and Season 21 onwards), the teacher (Season 18 only), the ginger-hair boy, the shouting little boy, the lady with the big hat, some passengers, the Knapford Station speaker ("The Adventure Begins"), some children ("The Adventure Begins" onwards), the school children ("Lost Property"), Stephen Hatt, Bridget Hatt, the lady in the blue dress, the barrow fan ("Reds vs. Blues" and "Useful Railway"), Albert's wife ("Thomas the Babysitter" and "Unscheduled Stops"), the lady in spring green dress, the female puppet show entertainer, little girl in the turquoise dress with pink flowers, the lady in the white dress and gray vest, the lady in the white shirt, light brown skirt and hat, the lady in the grayish white shirt, blackish gray skirt, and white pearl necklace, the chubby little boy in dark green shirt and dark gray shorts, the lady in the yellow dress and hat, The Blonde Haired Girl, The Lady in Red and Indigo Hat and White Dress with Indigo lines, Female Passengers, Madeleine, and Madeleine's Mother
Bob Golding Stephen, Sidney (series 17 onwards), Ivan, some dock workers ("Tale of the Brave") and a railway inspector ("Lost Property")
Mike Grady Sir Robert Norramby
Yvonne Grundy Nia
Rasmus Hardiker Bill, Philip and some Troublesome Trucks ("The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor" only)
UK Monty
William Hope US Edward, Toby, Stephen Hatt ("Thomas and the Runaway Kite" only), Whiff, Bash, Rocky, Farmer McColl, the Duke of Boxford, the blond-haired boy ("Merry Misty Island" and "The Way She Does It" only), the Maithwaite stationmaster ("Double Trouble" and "Wonky Whistle" only), the man at the fire ("Race to the Rescue"), the Dock Manager and the Wellsworth Station worker
UK/US Iron Bert (series 16 onwards), a railway inspector, a steamworks worker ("Wonky Whistle"), 2 farmhands ("Wonky Whistle"), a workman ("Toad and the Whale"), Passenger, and Farmer McColl ("Philip's Number" only)
Siu-see Hung An An
Togo Igawa Hiro
Shane Jacobson Shane
Rufus Jones Flying Scotsman
Steven Kynman UK Porter, Jack and the dock manager ("Tale of the Brave" only)
US Charlie "The Great Race" onwards
Butch Series 17 onwards
UK/US Duck, Ryan (series 20 onwards), Dart (Season 17 onwards), Paxton ("Blue Mountain Mystery" onwards), Peter Sam, "The Third Slip Coach", a workman (Journey Beyond Sodor), a railway inspector (Season 17) and the bird watcher ("Who's Geoffrey?")
Michael Legge Luke
Dan Li Yong Bao (Big World! Big Adventures!-onwards)
Windson Liong Lin-Yong, Lei, the Male Chinese Breakdown Crane, the Chinese Guard and the Chinese Men
Genevieve McCarthy UK/US Aubrey
Ian McCue UK/US The Blue Sea Serpent, Tiger Hunter #2
David Menkin Porter (US; series 17 onwards/UK; "Pouty James" and "Cranky at the End of the Line" only) and Stanley ("The Truth About Toby" only)
US Jack
Rachael Miller UK/US Rebecca, Angelique, Isla, The Teacher (Outback Thomas), Passengers (Outback Thomas), The Lady in Chartreuse Dress, and The Lady in Yellow Dress
Joe Mills Douglas, Oliver, Toad, the Welsh bird watcher ("Thomas and the Emergency Cable"), and a Knapford Station yard workman ("Toad and the Whale")
Lucy Montgomery Lexi, Hannah, Carly , and Cowgirls
Tracy-Ann Oberman[2] Daisy Series 20 onwards
Maggie Ollerenshaw Henrietta
Rebecca O'Mara Caitlin and the Second Slip Coach
Nikhil Parnar UK/US Rajiv
Jass Patel UK/US Concessions Worker
Nigel Pilkington UK Percy (Series 19 onwards; excluding "Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure"), and Trevor
UK/US A passenger
Rob Rackstraw James (US; "The Adventure Begins" onwards/UK; "Tit for Tat" onwards), Donald (Season 20 onwards), Raul, Axel, Étienne, Flynn (Season 19 onwards), Bradford, The Great Railway Show announcer, some passengers, the man in the blue shirt and light brown hat, The Bird Watcher ("The Railcar and the Coaches"), Fergus Duncan, The Welsh Bird Watcher ("Mike's Whistle"), The Thin Clergyman ("Tit for Tat"), The Red Sea Serpent, and Tiger Hunter #1
UK Toby Season 19 onwards
US Monty
Christopher Ragland[3] Percy (Season 19 onwards) and Trevor
US/UK The Troublesome Trucks ("The Adventure Begins" onwards) , and Cowboys
Miranda Raison Millie and the Knapford Station speaker
Kerry Shale UK Thomas and Spencer "Hero of the Rails", originally
US Henry, Gordon, Dash, Scruff, Harold, Max, Kevin, Sir Topham Hatt ("Hero of the Rails" – Season 18), Sir Lowham Hatt, Mr. Percival, Farmer Trotter, The Maithwaite stationmaster ("Time For a Story" and "A Blooming Mess"), a railway inspector, the photographer (Season 16), the railroad coal inspector, the zoo keeper and some workmen
UK/US Kevin ("Hasty Hannah" only), Diesel (US; series 19 onwards/UK; series 13 onwards), 'Arry, some groaning passengers ("Calm Down Caitlin"), the man on the bridge, and Headkeeper Jack
John Schwab Vinnie, Ulli and a Bridlington Diesel
US Stanley Series 20 onwards, excluding "Saving Time"[4]
Nicola Stapleton UK/US Rosie Season 21 onwards
Tom Stourton Duncan, Rex, Terence and The Fat Clergyman
Tim Whitnall Timothy, Mike, Jerome, Oliver the Excavator, Reg, the deputy minister and some workmen
US The man in the hat "Spencer's VIP" only
UK Max
Keith Wickham Edward, Henry, Gordon, Whiff, Dash, Harold, The Thin Controller, the railway coal inspector, the man at the fire, the Wellsworth station worker, the Fat Controller's assistant, some workmen, some passengers, Gator's driver, and steamworks workman
UK/US Harvey, Glynn, Salty, Den, Norman, Stafford, Skarloey, Sir Handel, Arlesdale Bert, Bertie, Captain, Sir Topham Hatt/The Fat Controller (UK; "Hero of the Rails" onwards/US; "The Adventure Begins" onwards), Dowager Hatt, Sir Lowham Hatt, Lord Callan, the photographer ("Wild Water Rescue"), a railway inspector, the great composer, the Maron station speaker, the Wellsworth stationmaster, Thomas' guard, the grumpy passenger, Father Christmas, the groundsman, the postman, Gordon's driver ("The Adventure Begins"), James' guard ("The Adventure Begins"), a Knapford station worker ("The Adventure Begins"), some workmen, sometsignalmen, the dock manager ("Who's Geoffrey?" only), a Sodor search & rescue centre worker ("Toad and the Whale"), a policeman ("Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure"), a diver ("Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure"), The Man in the Hat, some passengers, Albert ("Thomas the Babysitter"), Mr. Bubbles, the man in the sea green shirt and glasses, the Welsh bird watcher ("Sidney Sings and Three Steam Engines Gruff"), one of Dowager Hatt's friends ("Best Engine Ever" and "Sidney Sings"), the museum manager, male puppet show entertainer, the man in the gray shirt and black pants, the Great Railway Show judge, the fat clergyman, the man in the blackish gray shirt and blackish gray pants, Willie the lazy farmer, the man in the black shirt and black pants, Franz, The Man in the Whitish Brown Shirt and Brown Pants, and The Station Announcer
Robert Wilfort Samson and the Great Railway Show judge ("The Great Race")
Matt Wilkinson UK Spencer, Stanley, Charlie, Bash, Scruff, Rocky, Cranky, Butch (Season 16 onwards), Kevin, Stephen Hatt ("Thomas and the Runaway Kite"), Farmer McColl, the Duke of Boxford, the photographer (series 16), the Maithwaite stationmaster, Farmer Trotter, the Knapford stationmaster, the bird watcher ("Henry's Good Deeds"), the blond-haired boy ("Merry Misty Island"), the dock manager, a railway inspector, some dock workers, the island inspector, the Sodor search & rescue centre manager, the Blue Mountain Quarry workman, the zoo keeper and the man with the hat
UK/US Ben, Diesel 10, Winston, Rusty, Merrick, Captain Joe, some workmen, and Male Passengers
Glenn Wrage US Spencer, Ferdinand, Cranky, the Sodor search & rescue centre manager, Sir Topham Hatt's Assistant, Gator's driver and a Steamworks worker
Former voices[edit]
Actor/Actress
Region
Role(s)
Notes
Jonathan Broadbent UK/US Bill and Ben Season 17-19
The First Slip Coach Season 18
Rupert Degas Dart and Flynn "Day of the Diesels" – Season 16
Bertie Season 15 and 16 only
UK Butch Series 15
Michael Brandon US Mr. Bubbles Season 13–15
Diesel Season 13–16
Martin Sherman "King of the Railway" – Series 18
Thomas and Percy "Hero of the Rails" – Season 18
Henry Originally
The Bird Watcher Henry's Good Deeds only
Some children Time for a Story, Pop Goes Thomas and Toby and Bash only
Ben Small Stanley Season 15 only
Charlie Season 16–18
UK Thomas and Toby "Hero of the Rails" – Season 18
Ferdinand "Misty Island Rescue" – Season 16
UK/US Rheneas Season 16–18
Troublesome Truck
Flynn Season 17 only
Owen "Blue Mountain Mystery" – Season 18
Guest voices[edit]
Actor/Actress
Role(s)
Notes
Clive Mantle Gator "Tale of the Brave" and Series 18 only
Sir John Hurt Sailor John "Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure" only
Eddie Redmayne Ryan
Ashna Kapur The blond-haired girl (Very Important Sheep)
Oliver McCue The blond-haired boy (Very Important Sheep)
Tina Desai Ashima
Hugh Bonneville Merlin
Darren Boyd Theo
Jim Howick Hurricane
Sophie Colquhoun Frankie
Colin McFarlane Bulgy and Beresford
Patricia Kihoro Nia singing voice on the movie Big World! Big Adventures!
Mia Hope Gaywood Kid (School of Duck)
Holly Hazelton Kid (School of Duck)
Jessica Hann Kid (School of Duck)
Damon Denton Snape Kid (School of Duck)
Innis Robertson-Pinnell Kid (School of Duck)
Charlie Barnard Kid (School of Duck)
Online videos[edit]
Actor/Actress
Role(s)
Sabrina Frederick-Traub Tracy
Matthew Richardson Shane
Thomas and the Magic Railroad voices[edit]
Actor/Actress
Role(s)
Notes
Eddie Glen Thomas
John Bellis Originally
Keith Scott Diesel 10
Neil Crone Gordon, Diesel 10 and Splatter
A tumbleweed Uncredited
Troublesome Trucks Originally had lines but removed
Kevin Frank
Henry, Dodge and Bertie
Harold Originally had no lines
Britt Allcroft Lady
Patrick Breen Splatter and Dodge (Splodge) Originally
Susan Roman James
Michael Angelis Originally
Percy
Linda Ballantyne
Colm Feore Toby
Shelley-Elizabeth Skinner Annie and Clarabel
Narrators[edit]
Current[edit]
Actor
Region
Years
Period
John Hasler UK 2018–present Season 22–present
Joseph May US
Former[edit]
Actor
Region
Years
Period
Ringo Starr UK/AUS/US 1984–1986 (UK), 1987–1988 (AUS), 1989–1990 (US) Season 1–2
George Carlin US 1991–1995 Season 1–4 (US)
Michael Angelis UK/AUS/US 1991–2012 Season 3–16 (UK and AUS), Season 6–7 (US re-narration for episodes: Gordon and Spencer, Emily's New Coaches, The Spotless Record, Peace and Quiet, Jack Jumps In and A Friend in Need), Calling All Engines, Hero of the Rails, Misty Island Rescue, Day of the Diesels and Blue Mountain Mystery for UK and AUS audiences
Alec Baldwin US 1998–2002 Season 5–6 (US), Thomas and the Magic Railroad as Mr Conductor
Mara Wilson US 2000 Thomas and the Magic Railroad as Lily (originally hired to narrate the movie)
Michael Brandon US 2003–2012 Season 7–16 (US), Calling All Engines, Hero of the Rails, Misty Island Rescue, Day of the Diesels and Blue Mountain Mystery for US audiences
Gwyneth Paltrow US 2008 The Great Discovery (originally hired to narrate the movie)
Pierce Brosnan UK/AUS/US 2008 The Great Discovery, Season 12 (original cut)
Mark Moraghan UK/AUS/US 2013–2018 Season 17–21, Season 13 (US re-narration for episode: Snow Tracks), Season 14 (US re-narration for episodes: Charlie and Eddie and Thomas' Crazy Day), Season 15 (PBS Kids website re-narration for episodes: Up, Up and Away and Percy's New Friends, King of the Railway, Tale of the Brave, The Adventure Begins, Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, The Great Race and Journey Beyond Sodor
Guest[edit]
Actor/Actress
Years
Period
Mara Wilson 2000 original script of Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Gwyneth Paltrow 2008 original script of The Great Discovery
Pierce Brosnan The Great Discovery / original cut of season 12
Timeline[edit]
Seasons[edit]
Narrator(s)
Model Series: 1984–2008
CGI Series: 2010–present
Classic Series
1984–2003
New Series
2004–08
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Ringo Starr
Michael Angelis UK UK United Kingdom
US
George Carlin US
US
Alec Baldwin US
Michael Brandon US United States
Pierce Brosnan * * * *
Mark Moraghan US
John Hasler UK
Thomas
Joseph May
US
Specials[edit]
Narrator(s)
Model era
CGI era
TatMR
2000
CAE!
2005
TGD
2008
HotR
2009
MIR
2010
DotD
2011
BMM
2012
KotR
2013
TotB
2014
TAB
2015
SLotLT
2015
TGR
2016
JBS
2017
Mara Wilson Lily
Alec Baldwin Mr. C
Michael Angelis UK United States
Michael Brandon US United Kingdom
Gwyneth Paltrow
Pierce Brosnan
Mark Moraghan
A light green cell indicates the narrator who officially narrated the series.
An orange cell indicates the narrator who re-narrated the series.
A red cell indicates the original narrator who narrated the series, including the movies.
* Pierce Brosnan narrated the original cut of Series 12, but withdrew from the series, and his narrations left unreleased.
Characters[edit]
CGI Series[edit]
Characters
HiT Era
Mattel Era
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Thomas Ben Small (UK)
Martin Sherman (US) John Hasler (UK)
Joseph May (US)
Edward Keith Wickham (UK)
William Hope (US)
Henry Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Martin Sherman (original US voice) Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Gordon Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
James Keith Wickham (UK) Rob Rackstraw
Kerry Shale (US) Rob Rackstraw (US)
Percy Keith Wickham (UK)
Martin Sherman (US) Nigel Pilkington (UK)
Christopher Ragland (US)
Toby Ben Small (UK) Rob Rackstraw (UK)
William Hope (US)
Duck Steven Kynman Cameo Steven Kynman
Donald Rob Rackstraw
Douglas Joe Mills
Oliver Joe Mills
Bill Jonathan Broadbent Cameo Rasmus Hardiker
Ben Matt Wilkinson
Emily Teresa Gallagher (UK)
Jules de Jongh (US)
Diesel Kerry Shale (UK) Kerry Shale
Michael Brandon (US) Martin Sherman (US)
Mavis Teresa Gallagher (UK) Teresa Gallagher Cameo Teresa Gallagher
Jules de Jongh (US)
'Arry Kerry Shale Kerry Shale Cameo Cameo Kerry Shale
Iron Bert William Hope William Hope
Skarleoy Keith Wickham Cameo Keith Wickham
Rheneas Ben Small John Hasler Cameo
Sir Handel Originally Keith Wickham Keith Wickham
Peter Sam Steven Kynman Steven Kynman
Rusty Matt Wilkinson
Duncan Tom Stourton Tom Stourton
Annie and Clarabel Non-speaking role Cameo Non-speaking role Teresa Gallagher
Henrietta Non-speaking role Cameo Maggie Ollerenshaw
Toad Joe Mills
Bertie Non-speaking role Rupert Degas Keith Wickham
Harold Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US) Non-speaking role Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US) Non-speaking role Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Cranky Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Glenn Wrage (US)
Sir Topham Hatt Keith Wickham (UK) Keith Wickham
Kerry Shale (US)
Movies[edit]
Characters
TatMR
HotR
MIR
DotD
BMM
KotR
TotB
TAB
SLotLT
TGR
JBS
BW! BA!
Thomas Eddie Glen
John Bellis (originally) Martin Sherman (US)
Ben Small (UK)
Kerry Shale (original UK voice) Ben Small (UK)
Martin Sherman (US) John Hasler (UK)
Joseph May (US)
Edward Keith Wickham (UK)
William Hope (US)
Henry Kevin Frank Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Gordon Neil Crone Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US) Cameo Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
James Susan Roman
Michael Angelis (originally) Keith Wickham (UK) Rob Rackstraw
Kerry Shale (US) Rob Rackstraw (US)
Percy Linda Ballantyne
Michael Angelis (originally) Keith Wickham (UK)
Martin Sherman (US) Indirectly mentioned Keith Wickham (UK)
Christopher Ragland (US) Christopher Ragland (US speaking voice / UK singing voice)
Nigel Pilkington (UK) Nigel Pilkington (UK)
Christopher Ragland (US)
Toby Colm Feore Ben Small (UK)
William Hope (US) Rob Rackstraw (UK)
William Hope (US) Cameo Rob Rackstraw (UK)
William Hope (US)
Duck Non-speaking role Steven Kynman Cameo
Donald and Douglas Joe Mills
Oliver Cameo
Bill Jonathan Broadbent Jonathan Broadbent Cameo Rasmus Hardiker
Ben Matt Wilkinson
Emily Teresa Gallagher (UK)
Jules de Jongh (US) Teresa Gallagher (UK)
Jules de Jongh (US) Jules de Jongh (US speaking voice / UK singing voice)
Teresa Gallagher (UK) Teresa Gallagher (UK)
Jules de Jongh (US)
Diesel Cameo Kerry Shale (UK) Cameo Kerry Shale Cameo Kerry Shale
Michael Brandon (US) Martin Sherman (US)
Annie and Clarabel Shelley-Elizabeth Skinner Teresa Gallagher
Sir Topham Hatt Seen on posters Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US) Keith Wickham
References[edit]
Jump up ^ John Hasler [@john_hasler] (19 January 2016). "@NickN05L31 @MrDankEngine Thanks for that. I've recorded Rheneas for season 20. Happy to be specific now :)" (Tweet) – via Twitter. ?s=03
Jump up ^ Tracy Ann Oberman [@TracyAnnO] (20 August 2016). "@Diesel104472 I am Daisy the Diesel Car. She's v funny" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
Jump up ^ Christopher Ragland [@cgragland] (27 May 2015). "@Wellsworth96 no, I do the UK and U.S. Trucks...only do Percy U.S." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
Jump up ^ John Schwab [@johnschwab] (17 November 2016). "@ElliotKW Yes, that's me. Thanks for watching" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thomas and Friends.
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Thomas and Friends
Official websites[edit]
Official website
Awdry Family Site
Other sites[edit]
Thomas and Friends at TV.com
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends on IMDb
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The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends
Engines
Thomas
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Henry
Gordon
James
Percy
Toby
Duck
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Oliver
Emily
Bill and Ben
Diesel
Mavis
Salty
Harvey
Diesel 10
Narrow-gauge engines
Skarloey
Rheneas
Sir Handel
Peter Sam
Rusty
Duncan
Duke
Minimum-gauge engines
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Bert
Rex
Other characters
The Fat Controller
Annie and Clarabel
Bertie
Harold
Terence
Trevor
Characters in The Railway Series
Railways
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Culdee Fell
Arlesdale
Mid Sodor
Sodor & Mainland
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Places
The Island of Sodor
Locations in Thomas and Friends
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The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry
List of Railway Series books
Major characters
Minor characters
Authors
Rev. W. V. Awdry (creator)
Christopher Awdry
Illustrators
C. Reginald Dalby
John T. Kenney
Peter and Gunvor Edwards
Clive Spong
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History of the Houston Oilers
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Houston Oilers
Established 1959
Ended 1996
Played in Houston, Texas
Logo Wordmark
League/conference affiliations
American Football League (AFL) (1960–1969)
Eastern Division (1960–1969)
National Football League (1970–1996)
American Football Conference (1970–1996)
AFC Central (1970–1996)
Uniform (1987–1996)
Team colors
Columbia Blue, Scarlet Red, White
Fight song
Luv Ya' Blue/Houston Oilers #1
Mascot
The Roughneck
Personnel
Owner(s)
Bud Adams
Head coach
Jeff Fisher (1994–1996)
Team history
Houston Oilers (1960–1996)
Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
Tennessee Titans (1999–present)
Championships
League championships (2)
AFL Championships
1960, 1961
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (6)
AFL East: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967
AFC Central 1991, 1993
Playoff appearances (15)
AFL: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1969
NFL: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Home fields
Jeppesen Stadium (1960–1964)
Rice Stadium (1965–1967)
Houston Astrodome (1968–1996)
The professional American football team now known as the Tennessee Titans previously played in Houston, Texas as the Houston Oilers from 1960 to 1996. The Oilers began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The team won two AFL championships before joining the NFL as part of the AFL–NFL merger in the late 1960s.
The Oilers competed in the East Division (along with Buffalo, New York and Boston) of the AFL before the merger, after which they joined the newly formed AFC Central. The Oilers throughout their existence were owned by Bud Adams and played their home games at the Astrodome for the majority of their time in Houston (Jeppesen Stadium and Rice Stadium hosted the Oilers for their first eight years).
The Oilers were the first champions of the American Football League, winning the 1960 and 1961 contests, but never again won another championship. The Oilers appeared in the 1962 AFL Championship, losing in double overtime to their in-state rivals, the Dallas Texans; they also won the AFL East Division title in 1967 and qualified for the AFL Playoffs in 1969, both times losing to the Oakland Raiders. From 1978 to 1980, the Oilers, led by Bum Phillips and in the midst of the Luv Ya Blue campaign, appeared in the 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship Games (but lost both). The Oilers were a consistent playoff team from 1987 to 1993, an era that included both of the Oilers' only division titles (1991 and 1993), as well as the dubious distinction of being on the losing end of the largest comeback in NFL history. For the rest of the Oilers' time in Houston, however, they were generally in the second division of the league, compiling losing seasons in almost every year outside the aforementioned high points.
The Oilers' main colors were Columbia blue and white, with scarlet trim, while their logo was a simple derrick. Oilers jerseys were always Columbia blue for home and white for away. The helmet color was Columbia blue with a white derrick from 1960 through 1965, silver with a Columbia blue derrick from 1966 through 1971, and Columbia blue with a white and scarlet derrick from 1972 through 1974, before changing to a white helmet with a Columbia blue derrick beginning in 1975 and lasting the remainder of the team's time in Houston.
Owner Bud Adams, who had openly threatened to move the team since the late 1980s, relocated the Oilers to Tennessee after the 1996 season, where they were known as the Tennessee Oilers for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. The Oilers played the 1997 season in Memphis before moving to Nashville in 1998. In 1999, to coincide with the opening of their new stadium, Adams changed the team name to the Tennessee Titans and the color scheme from Columbia Blue, Scarlet, and White to Titans Blue, Navy, White, and Silver with scarlet accents. The new Titans franchise retained the Oilers' team history and records, while the team name was officially retired by then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, thus preventing a future Houston NFL team from using the name.[1]
The NFL would return to Houston in 2002 with a new franchise, the Houston Texans.
Contents
[hide]
1 1960s
2 1970s
3 1980s
3.1 Renovation to the Astrodome
4 1990s
4.1 Final years in Houston
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
1960s[edit]
The Houston Oilers began in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League. They were owned by Bud Adams, a Houston oilman, who had made several previous unsuccessful bids for an NFL expansion team in Houston. Adams was an influential member of the eight original AFL owners, since he, Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt and Buffalo Bills founder Ralph Wilson were more financially stable than the other five (all three would go on to own their franchises for over forty years, whereas the others pulled out by the 1980s).
The Oilers appeared in the first three AFL championships. They scored an important victory over the NFL when they signed LSU's Heisman Trophy winner, All-America running back Billy Cannon. Cannon joined other Oiler offensive stars such as quarterback George Blanda, flanker Charlie Hennigan, running back Charlie Tolar, and guard Bob Talamini. After winning the first-ever AFL championship over the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960, they repeated over the same team (then in San Diego) in 1961. (In 2012, the retail outlet Old Navy earned infamy for selling a shirt that misidentified the 1961 AFL champions as the Houston Texans, who did not exist until 2002.)[2] They lost to the Dallas Texans in the classic 1962 double-overtime AFL championship game, at the time the longest professional football championship game ever played. In 1962, the Oilers were the first AFL team to sign an active NFL player away from the other league, when wide receiver Willard Dewveall left the Bears to join the champion Oilers. Dewveall that year caught the longest pass reception for a touchdown in professional American football history, 99 yd, from Jacky Lee, against the San Diego Chargers.
The Oilers won the AFL Eastern Division title again in 1967, then became the first professional football team to play in a domed stadium, when they moved into Houston's Astrodome then home of the Houston Astros of the MLB for the 1968 season. Previously, the Oilers had played at Jeppesen Stadium at the University of Houston (later called Robertson Stadium) from 1960 to 1964, and Rice University's stadium from 1965 to 1967. Adams had intended the team play at Rice from the first, but Rice's board of regents initially rejected the move. After the Astrodome opened for business, Adams attempted to move there, but could not negotiate an acceptable lease with the Houston Sports Association (owners of the Houston Astros) from whom he would sublease the Dome. The 1969 season, the last as an AFL team, saw Houston begin 3–1, but tumble afterwards. They qualified for the playoffs, but were defeated by the Raiders 56–7, to finish the year with a record of 6–7–2.
1970s[edit]
The years immediately after the AFL-NFL Merger were not as kind to the Oilers, who sank to the bottom of the AFC Central division. After going 3–10–1 in 1970, they went 4–9–1 in 1971, and then suffered back-to-back 1–13 seasons in 1972–73. But by 1974, the Oilers led by Hall of Fame coach Sid Gillman brought the team back to respectability by reaching .500 at season's end.
The Oilers made consecutive playoff runs in 1978 (left), 1979 (right) and 1980, led by Dan Pastorini (left), Elvin Bethea (right) and Earl Campbell.
The next year, Bum Phillips arrived and with talented stars like Elvin Bethea and Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, the Oilers had their first winning season of the decade going 10–4 but did not make the playoffs. Injuries and inadequate offense doomed them to a 5–9 season in 1976, but the team improved to 8–6 the following year, and in 1978, the Oilers' fortunes improved when they drafted University of Texas football star Earl Campbell, known as the "Tyler Rose", who was Rookie of the Year that year and led the Oilers to their first playoff appearance since the merger.
Defeating Miami in the wild-card round, they then trumped New England, leading to immediately rebuilding of the Patriots. But in the AFC Championship, the Steelers routed them 34–5. In spite of the lopsided defeat, the Oilers returned home to a packed Astrodome for a pep-rally uncommon in professional sports.
The 1979 season was a near rerun of 1978 as the Oilers finished 11–5 with Campbell gaining 1600 yards in the regular season, and again earned a wild card spot. Beating the Broncos in the first home playoff game in Houston in over a decade, the Oilers' performance suffered with injuries to Campbell, Pastorini and Burroughs. They did manage to edged past the high-flying San Diego of Dan Fouts in the divisional round, partly thanks to the play of Vernon Perry (4 INTs and a blocked FG) as well as the outstanding line coached by Joe Bugel. The Oilers returned to the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row, only to get knocked down by the Pittsburgh Steelers again, in spite of a terrific effort by Dan Pastorini – The Steelers had shut the ailing Campbell down, yet Pastorini nearly succeeded with the modest receiving corps of Mike Renfro, Rich Caster, and Ronnie Coleman venturing into the Steelers Hall of Fame defense. A controversial out-of-bounds call nullified a touchdown by wide receiver Mike Renfro resulting in a 27–13 victory for Pittsburgh. Once again, after a tough loss, the Oilers returned to their then adoring fans who packed the Astrodome for an impromptu pep-rally for the second year in a row.
1980s[edit]
Pro Football Hall of Famer running back Earl Campbell was the centerpiece of the Oilers' offense in the late 1970s and early 1980s, earning several NFL awards, AFC rushing titles and five Pro Bowls.
1980 saw the Oilers go 11–5 and achieve a wild card spot for the third year in a row, but they were quickly vanquished by Oakland, 27–7. Bud Adams fired Bum Phillips, who was succeeded by Ed Biles. Afterwards began a long playoff drought as the Oilers fell to 7–9 in 1981, and 1–8 in the strike-shortened 1982 season. In 1983, Houston went 2–14. Biles resigned in Week 6 and was succeeded by Chuck Studley, who served merely as an interim coach until Hugh Campbell was hired in the off-season. In 1984, the Oilers won a bidding war for CFL player Warren Moon but didn't return to the playoffs that year either, with two wins and fourteen losses. The aging Earl Campbell was traded to New Orleans during the off-season and was replaced by Mike Rozier from University of Nebraska. In week 14 of the 1985 season, Hugh Campbell was replaced by Jerry Glanville, who saw the team through the last two games to finish 5–11. A 31–3 rout of Green Bay in the 1986 season opener looked promising, but in the end Houston only managed another 5–11 record. Another strike in 1987 reduced the season to 15 games, three by substitute players. After ending 9–6, the team achieved its first winning record and playoff berth in seven years. After beating the Seahawks in overtime, they fell to Denver in the divisional round. Going 10–6 in 1988, the Oilers again got into the playoffs as a wild card, beat Cleveland in a snowy 24–23 match, and then lost to Buffalo a week later. 1989 saw a 9–7 regular season, but the team gained a wild card. In a messy, penalty-ridden game, they were beaten by Pittsburgh.
Renovation to the Astrodome[edit]
AFC Pro Bowlers Warren Moon (left) and Mike Rozier (right) made major contributions to the Oilers' offense in the late 1980s while leading the team to several playoff appearances.
The Oilers' resurgence came in the midst of a battle for the franchise's survival. In 1987, Adams threatened to move the team to Jacksonville, Florida (later the home of Jacksonville Jaguars), unless the Astrodome was "brought up to date". At the time the Astrodome seated about 50,000 fans, the smallest capacity in the NFL. Not willing to lose the Oilers, Harris County responded with $67 million in improvements to the Astrodome that included new AstroTurf, 10,000 additional seats and 65 luxury boxes. These improvements were funded by increases in property taxes and the doubling of the hotel tax, as well as bonds to be paid over 30 years. However, Adams' increasing demands for greater and more expensive accommodations to be funded at taxpayer expense sowed seeds of tension that assisted the team's departure from Houston.[citation needed]
1990s[edit]
Houston Oilers helmet logo.
The Oilers briefly rose to become a league power once again in the first half of the 1990s. In 1991, the Oilers won their first division title in 25 years, and their first as an NFL team. However, only two minutes away from their first conference title game in 13 years, they were the victims of an 80-yard march by John Elway and the Denver Broncos before David Treadwell kicked a 28-yard field goal to win the game 26–24. In 1992, the Oilers compiled a 10–6 regular season record, but made history against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card playoffs by blowing an NFL record 35–3 lead and eventually losing 41–38 in overtime, a game now known simply as "The Comeback."
In the 1993 season, the Oilers finished with a 12–4 record, their best record ever in Texas, and another AFC Central title, but lost in the second round to the Chiefs. After the season ended, Moon was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Without Moon, the Oilers finished the next season 2–14, the third-worst record for a full season in franchise history. The Oilers would never make the playoffs again in Texas. However, they did draft Steve McNair in 1995.
Final years in Houston[edit]
The now-abandoned Astrodome, which was the home of the Houston Astros, had football turf still intact after the Oilers' departure
At the same time, Adams again lobbied the city for a new stadium, one with club seating and other revenue generators present in recently–built NFL stadiums, and he committed to pay for 25% of the cost of a new stadium. However, Mayor Bob Lanier initially supported Adams' bid for a new stadium privately, but refused to publicly support the project. Although Houstonians wanted to keep the Oilers, they were leery of investing more money on a stadium so soon after the Astrodome improvements.[3] The city was also still struggling to recover from the oil collapse of the 1980s. Adams, sensing that he was not going to get the stadium he wanted, began shopping the Oilers to other cities. He was particularly intrigued by Nashville, and opened secret talks with mayor Phil Bredesen. At the end of the 1995 season, Adams announced that the Oilers would be moving to Nashville for the 1998 season.[4] City officials there promised to contribute $144 million toward a new stadium, as well as $70 million in ticket sales. At that point, support for the Oilers in the Houston area all but disappeared.
The 1996 season was a disaster for the Oilers; they played before crowds of fewer than 20,000 and games were so quiet that it was possible to hear conversations on the field from the grandstand. Meanwhile, the team's radio network, which once stretched across the state, was reduced to flagship KTRH in Houston and a few affiliates in Tennessee. By October 1996, KTRH was cutting off games prior to their finish in favor of the Houston Rockets pre-game show.[5] The team went 8–8, finishing 6–2 in road games and only 2–6 in home games. Adams, the city and the league were unwilling to see this continue for another season, so a deal was reached on May 8, 1997 to let the Oilers out of their lease a year early and move to Tennessee.[6]
In 1999, Robert McNair was awarded, at a cost of $1 billion, an expansion team which replaced the Oilers in Houston. The franchise became the Houston Texans, which adopted a similar red, white and blue team color tandem and inherited the sports complex the Oilers had played in, but not the Oilers' former home; NRG Stadium would be built next door to the Astrodome in 2002.
See also[edit]
List of Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans seasons
History of the Tennessee Titans
History of the Houston Texans
References[edit]
Jump up ^ Oilers Change Name To Titans
Jump up ^ Farrar, Doug (September 3, 2012). Old Navy mistakenly gives 1961 championship to non-existent team in non-existent conference. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
Jump up ^ Animosity toward Adams/Poll indicates Oilers' boss is his own worst enemy. The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
Jump up ^ PRO FOOTBALL;N.F.L. Owners Approve Move To Nashville By the Oilers. The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
Jump up ^ Oilers hope to prove lame ducks can soar. The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
Jump up ^ The long goodbye: Revisiting the Oilers' finale in Houston, December 16, 2016. Accessed May 5, 2017.
External links[edit]
NFL.com/Oilers (1996 archive)
Smith, Brian T. (2013-12-26). "'Oh my God:' The oral history of the 1993 Houston Oilers". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-01-01.
[show]
v
t
e
Tennessee Titans
Founded in 1960
Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–96) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–98)
Based and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee
Franchise
History
in Houston
in Tennessee
Coaches
Seasons
Players
First-round draft picks
Starting quarterbacks
Stadiums
Jeppesen Stadium
Rice Stadium
Houston Astrodome
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Vanderbilt Stadium
Nissan Stadium
Culture
Bud Adams
Luv Ya Blue
T-Rac
Cheerleaders
Lore
The Choke
Music City Miracle
Rivalries
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys
Division championships (9)
1960
1961
1962
1967
1991
1993
2000
2002
2008
Conference championships (1)
1999
League championships (2)
1960
1961
Retired numbers
1
34
43
63
65
74
Media
Broadcasters
Titans All Access
Titans Preseason Football
Titans Radio Network
WKRN-TV
WTVF
WZTV
WGFX-FM
Current league affiliations
League: National Football League (1970–present)
Conference: American Football Conference
Division: South Division
Former league affiliation
League: American Football League (1960–1969)
Seasons (58)
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Championship seasons in bold
[show]
v
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e
Houston Oilers 1960 AFL champions
12 Charlie Milstead
15 Jacky Lee
16 George Blanda
20 Billy Cannon
21 Ken Hall
24 Julian Spence
30 Mike Dukes
31 Doug Cline
32 Dave Smith
33 Bob White
34 Charlie Kendall
37 Charlie Hennigan
40 Tony Banfield
41 Mark Johnston
43 Jim Norton
44 Charlie Tolar
47 Don Brown
47 Bobby Gordon
50 Dennit Morris
51 John Simerson
53 Hugh Pitts
56 Phil Perlo
57 George Belotti
61 Bob Talamini
62 Wahoo McDaniel
63 Hogan Wharton
64 Fred Wallner
65 Gary Greaves
70 Al Jamison
71 Pete Davidson
72 Jerry Helluin
73 Dan Lanphear
74 George Shirkey
75 Don Floyd
76 Dalva Allen
77 Rich Michael
79 Orville Trask
82 Johnny Carson
84 Jack Atchason
86 John White
88 Al Witcher
89 Bill Groman
Head coach: Lou Rymkus
Assistant coaches: Wally Lemm
Walt Schlinkman
Mac Speedie
Fred Wallner
[show]
v
t
e
Houston Oilers 1961 AFL champions
12 Charlie Milstead
15 Jacky Lee
16 George Blanda
20 Billy Cannon
21 Ken Hall
22 Gary Wisener
24 Julian Spence
25 Gene Jones
27 Fred Glick
30 Mike Dukes
31 Doug Cline
32 Dave Smith
33 John Guzik
34 Jack Laraway
37 Ron Botchan
40 Tony Banfield
41 Mark Johnston
43 Jim Norton
44 Charley Tolar
46 Claude King
50 Dennit Morris
52 Bob Schmidt
57 George Belotti
60 Buzz Guy
61 Bob Talamini
62 Dick Frey
63 Hogan Wharton
64 Willis Perkins
66 Leo Reed
70 Al Jamison
73 Bob Kelly
74 George Shirkey
75 Don Floyd
77 Rich Michael
78 Byron Beams
79 Orville Trask
80 Dalva Allen
81 Bob McLeod
82 Ed Husmann
86 John White
87 Charley Hennigan
88 Willard Dewveall
89 Bill Groman
Head coaches: Lou Rymkus
Wally Lemm
Assistant coaches: Walt Schlinkman
Mac Speedie
Joe Spencer
Fred Wallner
[show]
v
t
e
American Football League
Eastern Division
Boston Patriots
Buffalo Bills
Houston Oilers
New York Titans/Jets
Miami Dolphins
Western Division
Denver Broncos
Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
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Cincinnati Bengals
General
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Al Davis
Milt Woodard (President)
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This page was last edited on 19 February 2018, at 21:48.
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