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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZWHITTAKER, Roger(b 22 March '36, Nairobi, Kenya) Singer, songwriter, guitarist, whistler. Born of British parents, studied medicine at Capetown S.A., then marine biology at Bangor, Wales '59-62; performed in Kenya between terms, had minor hit "Steel Man' and switched to music. After 25 years of sellout tours in Europe and North America he must be one the most popular singers in the world currently working, though most people have never heard of him; dubbed "king of the middle-of-the-road' by one critic. Represented Britain at Knokke Festival in Belgium '67 and won; entries "Mexican Whistler' and "If I Were A Rich Man' went top 3 in Europe, did nothing anywhere else; then "Durham Town (The Leavin')' was no. 12 UK and he was on his way. Wrote most of his own material; lived in England but retained ties to Africa, singing "Save The Rhino' on tour '87. Seven chart LPs in UK '70-81 mostly on EMI/Columbia incl. compilations; six chart LPs in USA '75-81 incl. The Last Farewell And Other Hits '75, 2-disc Live In Concert '81 at no. 177, all on RCA. Also had UK top 10 hit duet "The Skye Boat Song' '86 with TV entertainer Des O'Conner, also so middle-of-the-road he blends with the woodwork. |