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Article: Gene Autry dies of cancer at 91 after `terrific ride': Was original singing cowboy.(A)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- October 3, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Gene Autry, the movie-star cowboy singer turned Forbes 400 mogul and baseball team owner, died yesterday at his Studio City, Calif., home. He was 91 and had suffered from cancer.
"It's been a terrific ride," Mr. Autry, the original owner of the California Angels, once said. "Who could ask for more? Well, maybe a World Series."
With his buoyant, optimistic theme song, "Back in the Saddle Again," Mr. Autry pioneered the horse opera as the shoot-'em-up crooner of Republic serials. He rode his mighty steed, Champion, Wonder Horse of the West, alongside Pat Buttram or Smiley Burnette.
Mr. Autry starred in the first full-length singing ...