Roger Whittaker
March 22nd 1936 - Kenya - South Africa
Roger Whittaker has become an outstanding performer all over the world, with hit singles that includes such
classics as "Durham Town," "New World in the Morning," "I Don't Believe in 'If' Anymore,"
and "The Last Farewell." He has sold nearly 50 million records, in the United
States and Canada as well as many other countries.
His parents originally came from Staffordshire in England: his father was a grocer, and his mother was a teacher.
In school, he was a member of the school choir After leaving the army he enrolled at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
After 18 months, he left the university and joined the Civil Service Education Department to try teaching.
His parents originally came from Staffordshire in England: his father was a grocer, and his mother was a teacher.
In school, he was a member of the school choir After leaving the army he enrolled at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
After 18 months, he left the university and joined the Civil Service Education Department to try teaching.
He continued to sing in local clubs, and he had by now started writing his own songs.
So finding himself an agent and manager, Roger set out to establish his name and almost immediately was booked for a summer season in Northern Ireland.Not long after, he landed his first break- through when he was signed to appear on Ulster Television.
In 1964, Roger met his future wife, Natalie, and they were married in August 1964.
Today they live in England --with their five children, Emily, Lauren, Jessica, Guy
and Alexander.
He was asked to join a British team for
the annual music festival at Knokke, Belgium.Singing "If I Were a Rich Man," and
his own composition "Mexican Whistler." Issued on the Continent as singles shortly afterward, "Mexican Whistler" soon
reached number one in three European countries while If I Was A Rich Man, came in at
number two.
In 1969, his British record company issued a new single; another of his own compositions
with the unusual title of "The Leavin' (Durham Town)." By November,
Durham Town, was rapidly climbing the British charts.
One of Roger Whittaker's best-loved songs in America is "The Last Farewell." Originally recorded in 1971, the lyrics to the song were written by a Birmingham, England, silversmith. Although "The Last Farewell" was not the winner, the song was included on an album, along with the winner "Why" The Last Farewell, went on to become one of his most requested songs and reached the number one slot.
In 1991, he was invited by Bob Hope to appear in a Gala Charity Show at the London Palladium. With more than 35 years in show business and more than 100 albums in print he shows no sign of slowing down. He still has a non-stop round of engagements all over the world.
One of Roger Whittaker's best-loved songs in America is "The Last Farewell." Originally recorded in 1971, the lyrics to the song were written by a Birmingham, England, silversmith. Although "The Last Farewell" was not the winner, the song was included on an album, along with the winner "Why" The Last Farewell, went on to become one of his most requested songs and reached the number one slot.
In 1991, he was invited by Bob Hope to appear in a Gala Charity Show at the London Palladium. With more than 35 years in show business and more than 100 albums in print he shows no sign of slowing down. He still has a non-stop round of engagements all over the world.