Roger Whittaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roger Whittaker |
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Whittaker performing in 1976
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Roger Henry Brough Whittaker |
| Born | 22 March 1936 Nairobi, Colony and Protectorate of Kenya |
| Died | 13 September 2023 (aged 87) France |
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| Years active | 1962–2012 |
Roger Henry Brough Whittaker (born March 22, 1936 – died September 13, 2023) was a famous British singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to English parents. Roger Whittaker was known for his deep singing voice and his amazing ability to whistle. He also played the guitar very well.
His music was a mix of folk music and popular songs. Many of his songs were played on the radio. Some of his most famous songs include "Durham Town (The Leavin')" and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore". In America, people often remember his songs "New World in the Morning" and "The Last Farewell". "The Last Farewell" was a huge hit, selling over 11 million copies worldwide! From the 1970s, he became very popular in Germany, even singing songs in German.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Roger Whittaker's parents, Edward and Vi Whittaker, came from Staffordshire, England. They used to own a grocery shop there. His family moved to a farm near Thika, Kenya, because his father was in a motorcycle accident and needed a warmer place to recover. Roger learned to play the guitar when he was young. His grandfather was also a singer, and his father played the violin.
After finishing primary school, Roger went to Prince of Wales School (now Nairobi School). When he finished high school, he joined the Kenya Regiment for two years. This was part of his national service. After his time in the army, he first thought about becoming a doctor. He started studying at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. But he soon left and became a teacher, just like his mother.
Music Career Begins
To help his teaching career, Roger moved to Britain in 1959. For the next three years, he studied science at Bangor University. While he was studying, he also sang in local clubs. He even released some songs on special records called Flexi discs that came with the university newspaper.
Soon after, he signed with Fontana Records. His first professional song, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," came out in 1962. In 1966, he moved to another record label called Columbia. From then on, he was known as Roger Whittaker.
First Big Hits
In 1969, his song "Durham Town (The Leavin')" became a Top 20 hit in the UK. This was his first big success in his home country. In 1970, his song "New World in the Morning" became a Top 20 hit in America. It was popular on the Easy Listening music charts. That same year, he sang the theme song for a movie called No Blade of Grass.
Roger also became interested in music from Nordic countries. In 1972, he recorded a song called "Where the Angels Tread." In 1974, he performed at the Finnish Eurovision tryouts. His song "The Finnish Whistler" became very famous in Finland. It was even used as the theme music for a popular cooking show!
Worldwide Success
In 1975, Roger released "The Last Farewell". This song was from his 1971 album New World in the Morning. It became his most famous song and sold over 11 million copies around the world. In 1979, he wrote a song called "Call My Name." It was a finalist in the UK's Eurovision selection show.
Roger Whittaker also had a lot of success in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s. He sang many songs in German, even though he couldn't speak the language fluently at first. He learned to sing the words by listening carefully to how they sounded. He appeared on German television many times. Some people didn't like his German songs at first, but he gained a huge fan base there. He felt that his German fans were his most loyal.
In March 2006, Roger announced that his 2007 tour in Germany would be his last big tour. He said he would only do a few concerts after that. He retired from touring completely in 2013. However, he kept writing new songs and said he could still whistle very well!
Personal Life
Before becoming a musician, Roger Whittaker studied medicine and trained as a teacher. He also served in the army in Kenya. He once said that the army helped him become a better person.
In 1964, Roger met Natalie O'Brien, and they got married in August. They had five children together: Emily, Lauren, Jessica, Guy, and Alexander. Jessica later became a TV presenter. Roger and Natalie also had 11 grandchildren. In 1986, he wrote a book about his life called So Far, So Good, with help from his wife. Natalie also became his manager in 1989.
Roger and Natalie moved to France when they retired in 2012. Roger Whittaker passed away on September 13, 2023, at the age of 87.
Concerts and Tours
Roger Whittaker went on his first tour of the United States in 1976. He also toured Germany in 2003. After having some heart problems in 2004, he started touring again in Germany in 2005. He then toured the UK from May to July that same year.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Roger Whittaker won more than 250 silver, gold, and platinum awards for his music sales. He was part of a British team that won the annual Knokke Music Festival in Belgium. He also won a special award there for being the most interesting personality at the festival.
In 1988, he received a 'Gold Badge Award' from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA). He also won a "Golden Tuning Fork" award in Germany in 1986. This award was given based on how many records he sold and how many people voted for him on TV.
Roger Whittaker was also featured on the British TV show This Is Your Life in 1982. On the show, famous people are surprised and celebrated for their achievements.
Discography
- New World in the Morning (1971)
- The Magical World of Roger Whittaker (1975)
- The Roger Whittaker Christmas Album (1978)
- A musical safari- My land is Kenya Album (1984)
See also
In Spanish: Roger Whittaker para niños
