90 Year old country singer and yodeler, Slim Whitman, passed away June 19, 2013 in Orange Park, Florida due to heart Failure. Whitman’s fans, who were captivated by his unique talents, are shocked and mourning.
Due to his talent of yodeling and his extravagant vocal range, Slim Whitman was able to attract a plethora of fans and sell millions of records over the course of his career. Born in Tampa, Florida, Whitman initially intended on serving in the Navy, and did so during World War II. After his service period, Whitman collaborated with Variety Rhythm Boys to begin his musical journey.
Soon after being heard by Tom Parker, who would later manage Elvis Presley, Whitman began to see success. He released his first single in 1948, after landing a record deal with RCA Victor, and saw even more success in 1952. Songs like “Keep It A Secret” and “Indian Love Call” pushed him up to Top 10 hits.
Whitman also appealed to the U.K. His song “Rose Marie” held the top spot on the charts for eleven consecutive weeks. His success does not stop there, as he would continue to release tracks that would grace charts all over the world. His musical talent was further proven in 1974, as 22 of Whitman’s singles were on the charts.
He added an innovative touch to his music by incorporating the mail-order TV album; which sold over 1.5 million copies. In the years that follow, Whitman dwelled in his success and made his first appearance on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. Many were influenced by Whitman, some even making references to him in their movies and music.
Whitman’s wife passed away in 2009 at age 67, so his only surviving relatives are his son and daughter. Funeral arrangements are still being made.
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