Biography of Roger Whittaker & Net Worth 2023

Biography of Roger Whittaker & Net Worth 2023.

Roger Whittaker (born 22 March 1936) is a Kenyan-British singer-songwriter and musician, who was born in Nairobi to English parents. His music is an eclectic mix of folk music and popular songs in addition to radio airplay hits. He is best known for his baritone singing voice and trademark whistling ability as well as his guitar skills.

He is widely known for his version of “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1982), as well as his own compositions “Durham Town (The Leavin’)” (1969) and “I Don’t Believe in ‘If’ Anymore” (1970). American audiences are most familiar with his 1970 hit “New World in the Morning” and his 1975 hit “The Last Farewell”, which is his only single to hit the Billboard Hot 100 (it made the Top 20) and also hit No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. He is also known for his renditions of “Ding! Dong! Merrily on High” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” His final top-charting hit was “Albany”, which scored No. 3 in West Germany in 1982.

Early Life

Whittaker’s parents, Edward and Vi Whittaker, were from Staffordshire, England, where they owned and operated a grocery shop. His father was injured in a motorcycle accident and the family moved to a farm near Thika, Kenya, because of its warmer climate. His grandfather sang in various clubs and his father played the violin. Roger learned to play the guitar.

Upon completing his primary education, Whittaker was admitted to Prince of Wales School (now Nairobi School). Upon completing his high school education, he was called up for national service and spent two years in the Kenya Regiment fighting the Mau Mau in the Aberdare Forest. In 1956 he was demobilized and decided on a career in medicine. He enrolled at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. However, he left after 18 months and joined the civil service education department as a teacher, following in his mother’s footsteps.

Personal life

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”.

In 1964, Roger met Natalie O’Brien, and they married in August. She has been Whittaker’s manager since 1989. They have five children: two sons and three daughters (Emily, Lauren, Jessica, Guy and Alexander). Jessica became a presenter on VH-1. They now have 11 grandchildren. In 1986, he published his autobiography, So Far, So Good, co-written with his wife.

Awards

In his career to date, Whittaker has earned over 250 silver, gold and platinum awards. He was part of a successful British team that won the annual Knokke Music Festival in Belgium and won the Press Prize as the personality of the festival. He was awarded a ‘Gold Badge Award’, from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) in 1988 and earned a “Golden Tuning Fork” (Goldene Stimmgabel in Germany) in 1986, based on record sales and TV viewer votes.

Discography

  • New World in the Morning (1971)
  • The Magical World of Roger Whittaker (1975)
  • The Roger Whittaker Christmas Album (1978)
  • A musical safari- My land is Kenya Album (1984)

Roger Whittaker Net Worth

Roger Whittaker Net Worth & Salary
Net Worth $1.5 Million
Salary Under Review
Source of Wealth Pop Singer
Cars N/A
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