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Post by Wynn Chester on Sept 18, 2023 22:02:44 GMT
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Post by jno on Sept 19, 2023 3:10:12 GMT
He was massive here in the German speaking countries. You'll find his CDs being sold anywhere and everywhere.
There was something about him that reminded me of Father Abraham of the smurfs. Maybe it was the beard.
Who can forget him and Des O'Conner doing The Skye Boat Song on 1986 Top of The Pops?
RIP Roger Whittaker, a job well done.
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Post by Arch Stanton on Sept 19, 2023 5:57:30 GMT
Roger was superb. He was a Kenyan weren’t he? Keep whistling Roger.
RIP Sir!
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Post by Arch Stanton on Sept 19, 2023 6:05:15 GMT
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Post by Arch Stanton on Sept 19, 2023 6:10:53 GMT
I thought I’d check his nationality, found this on Wikipedia:
On 1 April 1989, Whittaker's parents (still living in Kenya) were subjected to a brutal attack by a gang of four men in which his mother was tortured for eight hours and his father was murdered. His mother moved back to England after the incident. Roger Whittaker said about the incident, "It will affect me for the rest of my life, but I believe we should all live without hate if we can".
I’m not sure I could have been that christian about it were it my folks.
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Post by jjmolloy on Sept 19, 2023 11:57:45 GMT
Very sad to hear this. He lived here in Ireland for a time, only leaving recently. (we give tax breaks to musicians/authors/artists etc) Massive in the 1970's. Had some lovely songs, very wistful. Thanks for the music Roger. RIP Roger Whittaker's Lairakeen House for sale in Co Galway
Link good at time of posting.
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Post by metro1962 on Sept 19, 2023 12:39:12 GMT
Sad news.
Always remember The Last Farewell being a very big hit in the 1970's.
RIP Roger.
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Post by billymedhurst on Sept 19, 2023 13:01:51 GMT
Yes, a true legend. My Nan loved him. RIP
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Post by Portland Road on Sept 20, 2023 6:28:12 GMT
Yes, my parents liked him, he could sing in several languages and had the ability to whistle the tune throughout a song.
We forget just how big easy-listening music was in the late-60s, amidst the emergence of prog & heavy rock, and Roger had top twenty hits alongside such as Free, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.
Two of Roger's best singles were 'Durham Town' (1969) and 'New World In The Morning' (1970).
In 1971 he had his own BBC TV show, with guests from across the popular music spectrum.
R.I.P. Roger Whittaker.
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Post by jjmolloy on Sept 20, 2023 11:17:04 GMT
Yes, my parents liked him, he could sing in several languages and had the ability to whistle the tune throughout a song. We forget just how big easy-listening music was in the late-60s, amidst the emergence of prog & heavy rock, and Roger had top twenty hits alongside such as Free, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Two of Roger's best singles were 'Durham Town' (1969) and 'New World In The Morning' (1970). In 1971 he had his own BBC TV show, with guestd from across the popular music spectrum. R.I.P. Roger Whittaker. Yes, easy listening is much underestimated. For example - Who was the biggest selling UK singles act in 1965? Beatles? Stones? Both wrong, it was Ken Dodd. 'Tears' was among his hits that year. Haven't Googled that, so open to correction, but I believe that's true.
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Post by Portland Road on Sept 25, 2023 7:41:15 GMT
The You Tube clip of 'Wimoweh' posted above by Arch hints at the musical depth of Roger.
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Post by pr1 on Oct 3, 2023 1:43:20 GMT
Just learned of his passing. Rest In Peace.
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Post by thewoodster on Nov 25, 2023 7:35:45 GMT
The last farewell was Whittaker at his best
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