His musical career saw him achieve the remarkable feat of selling close to 50 million records, a journey that began in the summer of 1962. He is known for his famous song ‘MY LAND IS KENYA’.

 

In Summary;

• Among his most notable songs are Durham Town and The Last Farewell.
• In 2012, he concluded his career, and he is now survived by his spouse, Natalie.

Roger Whittaker, a folk singer-songwriter, passed away at the age of 87.

His notable songs comprise Durham Town, The Last Farewell, New World in the Morning, and his 1982 rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings.

According to The Guardian, he sold nearly 50 million records worldwide starting in the summer of 1962.

At 26 years old, he began composing songs and singing in Welsh folk clubs while studying zoology, biochemistry, and marine biology at the University of Bangor.

Whittaker’s initial significant break came when he was invited to appear on an Ulster television program in Northern Ireland named This and That, as reported by The Guardian.

His breakthrough in the UK’s Top 20 occurred with the release of Durham Town (The Leavin’).

The success of the song surprised him, as per comments on his website.

He expressed, “I just didn’t have any faith in that song at all.”

Rather than promoting the single in Britain, he went to Finland for a cabaret season and television appearances.

Whittaker was born in Nairobi to English parents in 1936, and the music of East Africa had a profound impact on his upbringing.

After completing national service in Kenya, he pursued a medical degree.

During his studies, he performed at local clubs and composed his own songs.

He retired in 2012 and is survived by his wife, Natalie.

He married Natalie almost 60 years ago after a three-month courtship and together they have five children.