David Whitaker (composer) facts for kids

David Sinclair Whitaker (born January 6, 1931 – died January 11, 2012) was a talented English composer, songwriter, arranger, and conductor. He was especially active in the 1960s and 1970s, creating music for many famous artists and films.

Musical Journey

David Whitaker was born in Kingston upon Thames, England. He worked with many well-known British and French artists. These included Marianne Faithfull, Serge Gainsbourg, France Gall, Johnny Hallyday, The Rolling Stones, and Simply Red. He also collaborated with international artists like Lee Hazlewood.

One of Whitaker's most famous works from the 1960s was his special arrangement for The Rolling Stones' song "The Last Time." This version was made for an instrumental album and credited to a group called The Andrew Oldham Orchestra.

Years later, in 1997, a band called "The Verve" used parts of this arrangement in their song "Bitter Sweet Symphony." This caused a big disagreement over who owned the rights to the music. The Verve's lead singer, Richard Ashcroft, had to give up the copyright and all the money earned from "Bitter Sweet Symphony." It took twenty years for the rights to finally return to Ashcroft. This song earned millions of dollars, and Ashcroft said it cost him a lot of money.

In the early 1980s, Whitaker recorded several sessions with the BBC Radio Orchestra in London. He featured his own songs and arrangements, and they were very well-received.

In 1992, David Whitaker helped arrange and produce a recording of the Buddy Holly hit "Heartbeat." This song was sung by actor Nick Berry and became the main theme for the popular British TV show Heartbeat. The song was a big hit, reaching number 2 on the U.K. music chart. It was used in every episode of the show until it ended in 2010. David also composed background music for many episodes.

David Whitaker also created many versions of songs for albums released by Reader's Digest. These were usually credited to "David Whitaker And His Orchestra."

Working with Shel Talmy

David Whitaker worked closely with Shel Talmy, a major record producer. Talmy often used Whitaker as an arranger and orchestra leader for his recording sessions from 1965 into the 1970s.

Talmy produced Music To Spy By, an album by the David Whitaker Orchestra in 1966. This album featured songs written by Whitaker himself. He also produced other albums where Whitaker did the arrangements, like And A Touch Of Love by Bill Davies. Talmy was also involved in some of the film soundtracks that Whitaker composed.

Film Music

David Whitaker composed music for many films. Here are some of them:

• 1968: Hammerhead
• 1968: Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River
• 1969: The Desperados
• 1969: Run Wild, Run Free
• 1970: Scream and Scream Again
• 1970: Eyewitness
• 1971: Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde
• 1972: Vampire Circus
• 1972: That's Your Funeral
• 1972: Danny Jones
• 1974: Vampira
• 1974: Mistress Pamela
• 1978: The Playbirds
• 1978: Dominique
• 1979: Confessions from the David Galaxy Affair
• 1982: The Sword and the Sorcerer
• 1998: Shadow Run
• 2000: With a Friend Like Harry (Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien)
• 2006: Lemming

Music Albums

David Whitaker's work has been featured on several albums.

Compilation Album

• 2002: The David Whitaker Songbook - This CD collection was put together by Thomas Jamois and Bertrand Burgalat. It features many songs arranged and conducted by David Sinclair Whitaker. It includes tracks like "The Last Time" by The Andrew Oldham Orchestra, "Chanson Indienne (Indian Song)" by France Gall, and "Remember" (David Whitaker version) by Air.

Awards and Recognition

In 2001, David Whitaker was nominated for the César Award for Best Music Written for a Film. This was for his work on the French movie With a Friend Like Harry (Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien), directed by Dominik Moll.

Later Life

David Whitaker passed away on January 11, 2012, shortly after his 81st birthday.