Roger Whittaker photographed with his guitar on October 22, 1970. Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images
Roger Whittaker, individual vocalist and also specialist whistler recognized for tracks such as “Durham Town (The Leavin’),” “New World in the Morning” and also his Billboard Hot 100 leading 20 track “The Last Farewell,” has actually passed away at 87. The vocalist passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 13, according to a statement on his website.
“It is with great sadness that we share that our beloved Roger Whittaker passed away on the 13th. September 2023 he left us in peace in the presence of his family. During this difficult time we would like to thank everyone for their support and compassion,” the declaration, additionally from Sony Music, check out. “Roger was an iconic artist, a wonderful husband and father. He touched so many hearts with his music during his lifetime and will always live on in our memories. The family requests privacy as we go through this time of grief and we thank you for your understanding. Roger will be greatly missed, his legacy will forever live on in our hearts and in his art.”
Roger Henry Brough Whittaker was birthed March 22, 1936, in Nairobi. The vocalist was subjected to songs via his family members: his grandpa regularly sang in clubs, while his daddy played the violin. Whittaker’s earliest recordings were launched while he was a basic at the University College of North Wales though the school’ paper, that included his tracks on flexi discs.
In 1969, Whittaker launched “Durham Town (The Leavin’),” with the track at some point coming to a head at No. 23 Billboard Adult Contemporary graph, where he put 8 extra tracks, consisting of “New World in the Morning” (No. 12), “I Don’t Believe in If Anymore” (No. 10) and also “The Last Farewell,” which ended up being Whittaker’s most effective solitary, covering the a/c graph. It was additionally his initial and also only track to get to the Hot 100, coming to a head at No. 19.
After ending up being proficient in German, Whittaker satisfied his fanbase and also invested the 1970s and also forward doing in the nation, along with launching 25 cds in German.
During his job, he additionally put 6 cds on the all-genre Billboard 200, consisting of The Last Farewell and also Other Hits (No. 31) and also When I Need You (No. 115).
According to his site, he and also better half Natalie “settled into retirement” in France in 2012.
