[2] Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Roberts began his career after service in the United States Navy.

[3] Roberts was a member of the Ray Robbins band, then quit to join Gene Krupa in 1947 when he was in the same section with Urbie Green.

Roberts began recording with Riddle, Don Costa, Billy May, Axel Stordahl, Gordon Jenkins, and Henry Mancini in sessions with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan, and Nat King Cole.

As a Hollywood studio musician, Roberts recorded film scores such as Jaws, King Kong, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and served on the staff orchestras of the radio and television networks.

[5] With Stan Kenton With Skip Martin With Shorty Rogers With Pete Rugolo With Lalo Schifrin With others