Roger Whittaker Parents: Meet Viola Whittaker, Edward Whittaker

The life of British singer-songwriter and musician Roger Henry Brough Whittaker was not only marked by his illustrious musical career but also by the poignant stories of his upbringing and family dynamics.

Born in Nairobi, then part of British Kenya, Whittaker’s roots trace back to English parents, Viola (née Snowden) and Edward Whittaker, hailing from Staffordshire.

Edward and Viola Whittaker were proprietors of a grocery shop in Staffordshire before circumstances led them to relocate to Nairobi. Following a motorcycle accident that left Edward injured, the family sought the warmth of the Kenyan climate and settled on a farm near Thika. It was in this environment that Roger Whittaker’s early musical journey began.

During World War II, a turning point in Whittaker’s childhood occurred when he received a guitar crafted for him by an Italian prisoner of war from the North African campaign. This instrument became the vessel through which he learned to play the guitar, setting the stage for his future as a prominent musician.

Whittaker’s musical inclinations were heavily influenced by the country and western gramophone records of artists like The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. His early years were filled with singing along to the tunes that would later shape his distinctive style and resonate with audiences worldwide.

However, despite the success and acclaim that Roger Whittaker achieved in his musical career, a strain existed within his family. His father, Edward Whittaker, harbored resentment over his son’s decision to abandon a potential medical career in pursuit of music.

This unresolved tension led to a stark reality – Whittaker’s parents never attended any of his concerts, and they declined participation when he was featured on the television show “This Is Your Life.”

Tragedy struck the Whittaker family on April 1, 1989, while they were still residing in Nairobi. Edward and Viola became victims of a brutal robbery, during which Edward lost his life, and Viola was left tied up in the bathroom for hours. The perpetrators were never apprehended, and the incident left an indelible mark on Roger Whittaker.

Reflecting on this traumatic event, Whittaker expressed, “It will affect me for the rest of my life, but I believe we should all live without hate if we can.” Despite the painful circumstances, he held onto a philosophy of forgiveness and resilience.