The English singer, songwriter and musician, Roger Whittaker was born in Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa. After finishing school, he was drafted into the army in Kenya. After the army, he decided to study medicine and enrolled in a Medical school in Cape Town, South Africa. Early on in his studies, he decided he wasn't ready to study day in and day out. He left medical school and started teaching in Kenya and later moved to Britain to study Zoology and Marine Biology.
While a teacher in Kenya, Roger wrote songs and performed at clubs. He continued singing and performing while studying at the University in Wales, and before receiving his degree to begin teaching, he was offered to publish his lyrics and perform his own compositions.
Faced with the dilemma of which career to choose, Roger sought advice from his professor. "Take your chance", he advised. "Have a try in show business and if you haven't made it in 10 years, come back here and teach. I shall always have a place at the University for you"
He was an immediate success and the rest was history. There was no need for him to go back to the University and teach. To date he has sold close to 50 million records worldwide. He has earned extreme popularity in Germany. Roger admits to being unable to speak a word of German yet he sings and records in German in a purely phonetic fashion. He has made a name for himself in the Schlager Musik scene. In Germany alone, he has sold over 10 million records. He has 250 Platinum, Gold and silver record awards in total.
He is also considered as the world's best whistler, using his own lips as a musical instrument. He has recorded many of his own compositions by whistling his own tunes and he even conducts whistling classes, teaching other musicians the art of whistling.
"The Last Farewell" is among his most well known recordings. Originally recorded in 1971, the song was a smash hit selling over 11 million copies worldwide. This version was re-recorded in 1986.
This song is dedicated to all the soldiers who have to leave their family and loved ones behind, to go to war, risking their lives and often fighting for no significant cause. And to all of their spouses and children for having to let them go without any certainty of ever seeing them again.
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