In 2004 his autobiography entitled This is my life was published.
Etzel received his musical training at the Army Music School in Frankfurt am Main.
He played as a trumpeter in various big bands after the Second World War, for example with Kurt Edelhagen from 1947 to 1952, with Max Greger from 1957 to 1962 and with Hugo Strasser from 1962 to 1966.
In 1967 he became self-employed. His own band was the Roy Etzel Sound Orchestra.
He was a German trumpeter, composer, lyricist and bandleader.