celebrity radar - gossips
Life And Times Of Pop Legend Roger Whittaker As Germans Mourn His Demise
Life And Times Of Pop Legend Roger Whittaker As Germans Mourn His Demise
The singer Roger Whittaker (“Albany”) is dead. He died on September 13th at the age of 87, as his record company Sony Music announced to the German Press Agency on Monday. The “Bild” newspaper had previously reported on it.
Whittaker had been living in seclusion for years
Anyone who grew up in the 1970s and 80s heard Roger Whittaker’s music – whether voluntarily or involuntarily. His songs were played by his parents or grandparents. The British singer with the gentle baritone voice was often a guest on the ZDF hit parade and other TV entertainment shows. Feel-good hits and catchy ballads – some say tearjerkers – were his forte. Whittaker sold millions of records not only in Germany. Now he has died.
“Farewell is a sharp sword that often cuts deep into your heart,” says one of his biggest hits. “Someday the best time will come to an end, ooh ooh.” And so Whittaker withdrew from the public years ago. “Unfortunately, Roger has completely retired and is no longer giving interviews,” wrote his agent in response to a request from the German Press Agency on the singer’s 85th birthday in 2021.
Studies financed with performances in clubs and pubs
At the beginning of the 1960s, the musical career of the trained zoologist, marine biologist and biochemist took off. The son of English immigrants was born in 1936 in Nairobi in what was then the British colony of Kenya. After military service, dropping out of medical school in Cape Town and a temporary job as a teacher in Nairobi, Whittaker moved to Europe. He completed a second course of study in Wales with a Bachelor of Science.
He financed his studies by performing as a singer in clubs and pubs – and also composed his own songs. So one thing led to another. In 1962 he recorded his first single “The Charge Of The Light Brigade”, a pompous country number. The musician only found his own style, with which he enjoyed worldwide success, at the end of the 1960s.
Whittaker’s most prominent fan: US President Bush
According to Whittaker, beard growth also played a role. “Early in my career I saw myself on television and thought: This face won’t work,” he told the Daily Express years ago. “So I grew the beard back that I had in university.” Still, he never looked like a pop star. With a Henriquatre beard, jacket, glasses and hair that had turned gray since the 80s, he looked like the friendly man next door – a likeable and authentic image that matched his music.
The all-whistled instrumental number “Mexican Whistler” was his first hit in the UK in 1967. The ballad “Durham Town” marked the big breakthrough two years later. Songs like “The Last Farewell” or “Indian Lady” soon made Roger Whittaker popular in other countries. His most prominent fan was former US President George HW Bush, who invited him to his house and sang at his golden wedding anniversary.
African influences in Whittaker’s music
One of Whittaker’s biggest hits, “The Last Farewell”, only became a success four years after its release. After the song made it onto American radio and the US top 20 in 1975, it also became a huge success in Europe. In the UK it reached number 2 on the charts, just behind Rod Stewart’s “Sailing”. Later even Elvis Presley recorded “The Last Farewell”.
Here and there, Whittaker’s music contained the African influences that he had absorbed during his youth in Nairobi. “The beautiful drumming and those wonderful, infectious rhythms have been a major influence in everything I’ve ever written and sung,” Whittaker was quoted as saying on his website.
Huge Whittaker fan base in Germany
He had his most loyal fan base in Germany. He therefore recorded many songs in German using phonetic transcription, although he had to struggle with the umlauts. “The worst German word is tenderness,” joked the songwriter in a 2012 “BamS” interview. “So purely phonetically, of course.” His greatest successes include “Albany” and “Farewell is a Sharp Sword”, which were written by the composer and producer Klaus Munro.
From the 80s onwards, Whittaker’s style increasingly shifted to German hits – stylistically somewhere between the Flippers and Howard Carpendale. In 1986 he sang: “I need a little aroma, a little Paloma, a little chichi today, Chérie!” Whittaker released dozens of albums in Germany. For his life’s work, the British gentleman of the German hit was honored with the “Platinum Tuning Fork” and the “Crown of Folk Music”.
Roger Whittaker also lived up to his friendly image in his private life. The family man and dog fan had been married to his wife Natalie since 1964, who later also became his manager. The couple has five children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After living in Ireland for a long time, the Whittakers moved to the south of France in 2012 – for the warmer weather, of course.
Thuli B: A Gospel Star Rising with Grace and Power
Semakaleng Victoria Musina, widely known as Thuli B, is a name that resonates with passion, anointing, and sheer musical brilliance. Born in the vibrant town of Potchefstroom, Northwest Province, in 1987, Thuli B’s journey in gospel music began at an early age, driven by an unshakable faith and a deep love for ministering through song.
From humble beginnings in local churches and outreach ministries, Thuli B has traveled across South Africa, touching lives with her soulful voice and powerful messages. Her talent and dedication saw her enter the South African Top Gospel Star competition, where she stood out among many, making it to the Top 40 at the Soweto Theatre. Her determination only grew stronger, leading her to the finals at the prestigious Joburg Theatre.
Not one to back down from a challenge, Thuli B continued to prove her musical prowess. In 2023, she entered the Crown Gospel Awards – Gauteng Talent Search, where she made it to the Top 5, further cementing her place in the gospel industry. But she wasn’t done yet. In 2024, she took another bold step and competed in the renowned Gospel Song of the Year (G-SOY) competition. Her heart-stirring performances and undeniable talent earned her the 2nd Runner-Up position, a remarkable achievement in a fiercely competitive space.
Thuli B is more than just a singer—she’s a storyteller, a worshiper, and a beacon of hope. Her music carries a divine presence that uplifts and inspires. With each note she sings, she brings healing, restoration, and a message of faith that resonates with audiences across South Africa and beyond.
As she continues her journey, the world can expect even greater things from Thuli B. Whether through her heartfelt lyrics, energetic dance moves, or soul-stirring performances, she is a gospel star destined for greatness.
Stay tuned, because Thuli B is just getting started!
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