The American Music Awards were on TV, and my mind thought back to the time I shared the stage with Roger Whittaker. Please let me explain. It was the fall of 1980. I was in charge of a Shrine function at Winnipeg's Centennial Concert Hall. I had gone there in the afternoon to finalize a couple of details with the Stage Manager. One of the stage hands said he was on stage with a performer who would be booking the Hall the following week. The stage manager called me up on stage and introduced me to Roger Whittaker.

Mr. Whittaker was a big man. Chin whiskers. A slouch hat that would be at home in the Serengeti Desert. Cowboy boots and sort of Australian Sheep Drovers clothes. He immediately put out his hand. With the most mischievous eyes I have ever seen, and a big smile he said “Roger”. He then inquired who I was and was I a performer. I explained about the Shriners and what we do. At that time his homeland Kenya was experiencing brutal times at the hands of the Mau Mau. Life on the farm where he grew up would be changed forever. He explained the rise of African Nationalism. He hoped further bloodshed could be avoided. We bonded immediately when I explained that my wife’s grandfather had been born in Rhodesia of Clergy parents, and had immigrated to Canada as a young man.

He said he was in Canada doing a cross country tour. Although trained as a teacher, he had tried his hand at singing. He moved to England and travelled around the continent. A song that he recently wrote was played in Canada. A U.S. Station picked it up. His popularity spread and his career was literally launched. The song that he wrote and sang?

THE LAST FAREWELL

Ken Kristjanson

November 2013