Roger Whittaker

Roger Whittaker ( born March 22, 1936 in Nairobi, Kenya ) is a British singer, songwriter and art piper. He is also in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, South Africa and Germany successfully. In Germany he is since 1979 particularly with hits in German language known, even though he barely speaks German.

Life

Whittaker began with 20 to study medicine in Cape Town, South Africa, which he, however, to be broke with the desire teachers. For this, he studied zoology, biochemistry and marine biology at Bangor University in Wales. His Bachelor of Science ( B.Sc.) he made with distinction.

Already during his studies he was active as an amateur musician. He had his first appearance in 1958 at the " Equator Club " in Nairobi. The first appearance in Europe he had in Portrush, Northern Ireland in the summer of 1962. In the same year there appeared his first single Charge of the Light Brigade. His first hit was Steelman in the same year. The first published in 1967 "Mexican Whistler ", an instrumental number, the melody just whistling in the Whittaker was also popular and often played in radio programs. In 1969, the singer then his first major success with Durham Town. It was followed by further success in England, which were known in the seventies and abroad, as well as in German-speaking countries. His most successful hits from this period were The Last Farewell, River Lady and Indian lady. It was The Last Farewell the world's best-selling single of his career. It was sold in 11 countries, a total of more than 11 million times. Therefore, this song is his most frequently performed song. It was recorded by other artists, including, inter alia by Ray Conniff and Elvis Presley.

End of the 1970s and into the 1980s, Whittaker was especially successful with the German songs of his longtime producer Nick Munro. His greatest success was here from Albany in 1981. He was a guest on numerous music shows on TV, including several times in the ZDF hit parade. He also went several times on major tour. One of his last big concerts in Berlin in 2003 appeared as a DVD under the title " Roger Whittaker - Live in Berlin."

Whittaker is since 1964 married to Natalie O'Brien and has five children: Emily ( born May 28, 1968), Lauren ( born June 4, 1970), Jessica ( born February 14, 1973), Guy (born 15 November 1974) and Alexander ( born April 7, 1978). He has relocated his 2011 retreat from Ireland to Saint- Cirq- Lapopie ( Dep. Lot, Région Midi- Pyrénées) in southern France.

Together with his wife Natalie, he wrote the autobiographical book A lucky that you are - So Far So Good, Ullsteinhaus (1986 ), ISBN 3550064918th

Awards

Roger Whittaker has received in his career over 250 silver, gold and platinum records. He was a member of the British team, the 1967 winner of the Knokke music festival in Belgium, directed by Roger Whittaker was awarded the Press prize. He also won in 1969 with New World in the Morning three gold medals at the Brazilian Song Festival in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, he received the " Gold Badge Of Merit ", an award from the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers.

In Germany he received the Golden Tuning Fork 1986.

Roger Whittaker was honored for his life's work in the context of the "Golden Tuning Fork 2006" on September 16 in the Ludwigshafen Friedrich- Ebert-Halle with a platinum - tuning fork.

In January 2011, he received the crown of folk music for his life's work.

Success title

Discography

German albums (selection):