Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023

Subject: Roger Whittaker gone
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:11 PM

Very sorry to hear this. Apparently he was 87. I was briefly on the same record label. The record company people were full of stories about what a live wire he was. Not like me , i was dead boring.

But I loved the album he did of folksongs of the British Isles.

Subject: RE: Roger Whittaker gone
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:19 PM

He was long off my radar, and I had to look him up to be sure he hadn't already passed away. Apparently he lived a nice retirement in France. He had a beautiful voice.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: Raggytash
Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:44 PM

Cracking singer, part of the soundtrack of my life.

Rest easy Roger.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 18 Sep 23 - 07:06 PM

Roger Whittaker's whistling could be amazing! The Mexican Whistler is a real earworm, that will lodge in your head.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 04:43 AM

Appaently he was not regarded so well in Durham after the lyrics of "Old Durham town" implyed that it was situated on the river Tyne!

The Mexican Whister 45 was a favourite with my father and he was surprised when he found that I could duplicate it.

Robin

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 04:53 AM

he whistled in the wind, he whistled in the dark and when he whistled on the bog ,folks thought it was a lark.
I went to a gig of his once in Sheffield, i liked his whistling
RIP
lets hope he is dueting with Percy Edwards

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 10:03 AM

Roger had a great voice and some lovely songs to sing. Like many others he was someone whose music was always cropping up in my life.
He will be missed, even I suspect, in Durham! I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who know and love him. RIP Roger.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 10:10 AM

I guess this is the The Last Farewell then :-(

What a voice. Not someone I followed but was always glad to hear on the radio. Condolonces to his family and loved ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 11:02 AM

On one of the many Tall-Ship voyages I sailed on, we had a guy who was a great singer and who sounded very much like Roger. At the final night ‘Sod’s Opera’, I accompanied him on guitar when he sang ‘The Last Farewell’ - he brought the house (a.k.a. The half-deck mess) down.

RIP Roger - you were a great talent and you will be very sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 11:15 AM

In January 1972, when I went to France for a stage at a lycée in the South, Roger Whittaker’s French version of “Durham Town” — “Mon pays bleu” — was still hugely popular and inescapable. I loved it far more than the original in English, possibly because even then I knew which city stood at the mouth of the river Tyne.

When “The Last Farewell” came out, I was working at Stadacona, the Navy hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I will never forget the Fleet Club packed with sailors soon to depart for the annual five-month NATO deployment, all roaring it out along with a local cover band. The only song they roared louder was “Farewell to Nova Scotia”.

It’s years since I heard either “Mon pays bleu” or “The Last Farewell”in real life, but Roger Whittaker’s lovely voice is permanently engraved in memory.

He also recorded a definitive version of “Wimoweh” …

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 11:54 AM

What a wondeful whistler

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: beachcomber
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 06:07 PM

Did Roger live for a while in Co. Wexford in Ireland ?

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 19 Sep 23 - 06:39 PM

I must have two dozen Roger Whittaker releases of Yellow Bird in the catacombs. 3 or 4 of them were whistled. His stage patter about the importance of his beard was always good for a chuckle. RIP The Haitian Whistler.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 20 Sep 23 - 07:47 AM

I believe Roger lived in Banagher, Co Offaly for a time (coincidentally home of the singer Johnny McEvoy).

May he rest in peace.

John.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roger Whittaker March 1936 - Sept. 2023
From: GUEST,paperback
Date: 21 Sep 23 - 10:43 AM

Wasn't Knights in White Satin a tribute to Roger?

I'd like to think so. . .

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