Whittaker's recording of "the Last Farewell" was released in 1975, and it became a fairly big hit in the United States. "Durham Town," "New World in the Morning," and some others got some airplay on the radio in the U.S., and I'm sure they made the "top 40" for a time. His albums are readily available in the U.S., and I'd guess he does reasonably well in the easy-listening market. You still hear him occasionally on the easy-listening stations in the U.S. - in elevators and supermarkets and the like.

I saw him perform in Sacramento in the mid-1980's, maybe earlier. Half of his performance was his standard hits and easy-listening stuff. It was pleasant, but not remarkable. the other half of the concert was folk music from Africa, from both black and white sources. He did some really interesting songs, and he did them well. I really enjoyed that half of the concert. I don't think he has recorded much of his African music, though. That's too bad, because he could really make a contribution there.

-Joe Offer-