Kenyan Born British Singer Roger Whittaker Known for His Classic Song 'My Land is Kenya,' has passed away at 87 years of age.
The singer died on 13th September 2023 in a hospital in southern France where he settled after an illustrious career.
Reports indicate he suffered a stroke from which he never recovered.
"Roger was an iconic artist, a wonderful husband and father. He touched so many hearts with his music throughout his life and will always live on in our memories," the family statement said.
Whittaker was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1936, while his parents were from Staffordshire, England.
Whittaker studied medicine after doing national service in Kenya.
While studying for his degree, he sang in local clubs and wrote his own songs.
But he left his medical course after 18 months and went in to teaching, moving to the University of Bangor in Wales in 1959 to get a teaching qualification.
His greatest hits include Durham Town, The Last Farewell, New World in the Morning and his 1982 version of Wind Beneath My Wings. Worldwide, he sold nearly 50m records since the summer of 1962 when, aged 26, he began writing songs and singing in Welsh folk clubs while studying zoology, biochemistry and marine biology at the University of Bangor.
He is survived by his wife, Natalie and their five children: Emily, Lauren, Jessica, Guy, and Alexander.
May his soul rest in peace.
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