Rik Waller
Encyclopedia
Rik Waller is an English
singer.
television series Pop Idol
. He made it into the final ten of the show, but was forced to pull out due to severe laryngitis
, leading to torn vocal cords as a result of overuse, and his place in the final 10 was taken by Darius Danesh
.
with EMI
in a deal worth approximately £200,000. His first single
was a cover version
of Dolly Parton
's song "I Will Always Love You
" which made #6 in the UK Singles Chart
. He followed this up with another top 40 hit, recorded originally by Labi Siffre
, "Something Inside So Strong". Both of these songs appear on Waller's album From Now.
before withdrawing from the programme.
concert of Waller and his band's UK tour was cancelled because only two tickets were sold.
His second album Innocence was released in September 2005. The band was subsequently re-named 'Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band', and then re-named again to 'Rik Waller's Unfinished Business'. On 28 February 2007, Waller appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
in the Identity Parade Round and briefly replaced captain Phil Jupitus when it became clear who was the real Rik Waller.
Waller has also set up his own recording company 'Coeur De Lion'.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer.
Pop Idol
Waller is best known for being a finalist in the first series of the British ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
television series Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
. He made it into the final ten of the show, but was forced to pull out due to severe laryngitis
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds . Dysphonia is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause....
, leading to torn vocal cords as a result of overuse, and his place in the final 10 was taken by Darius Danesh
Darius Danesh
Darius Campbell , also known as Darius Danesh or simply Darius, is a British Iranian platinum-selling singer-songwriter, a West End stage actor, operatic baritone, Sunday Times best-selling author, and an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust.He established himself as a popular West End leading...
.
EMI
Following the show, Waller signed a recording contractRecording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
in a deal worth approximately £200,000. His first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
was a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
's song "I Will Always Love You
I Will Always Love You
"I Will Always Love You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who first released the song as a single in 1974.-Dolly Parton version:...
" which made #6 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. He followed this up with another top 40 hit, recorded originally by Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of " So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, "My...
, "Something Inside So Strong". Both of these songs appear on Waller's album From Now.
Celebrity Fit Club
Waller has suffered from weight problems all of his life, and briefly appeared on Celebrity Fit ClubCelebrity Fit Club
Celebrity Fit Club is a reality television series that follows eight overweight celebrities as they try to lose weight for charity. Split into two competing teams of four, each week teams are given different physical challenges, and weighed to see if they reached their target weights...
before withdrawing from the programme.
Red Admiral Records
When he was dropped by EMI, Waller formed his own band to take his music out on the road. He then signed an album deal with Red Admiral Records. In October 2004, it was reported in the media that the DevonDevon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
concert of Waller and his band's UK tour was cancelled because only two tickets were sold.
His second album Innocence was released in September 2005. The band was subsequently re-named 'Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band', and then re-named again to 'Rik Waller's Unfinished Business'. On 28 February 2007, Waller appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
in the Identity Parade Round and briefly replaced captain Phil Jupitus when it became clear who was the real Rik Waller.
Waller has also set up his own recording company 'Coeur De Lion'.
Singles
- "I Will Always Love YouI Will Always Love You"I Will Always Love You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who first released the song as a single in 1974.-Dolly Parton version:...
" (March 2002) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#6 - "Something Inside So Strong" (June 2002) - UK #25
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pop Idol Pop Idol Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003... |
2001 | Self | |
| Pop Idol Extra | 2001 | Self | |
| Esther | 2002 | Self | |
| Kelly | 2002 | Self | |
| Top of the Pops Top of the Pops Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn... |
2002 | Self | |
| Celebrity Fit Club Celebrity Fit Club Celebrity Fit Club is a reality television series that follows eight overweight celebrities as they try to lose weight for charity. Split into two competing teams of four, each week teams are given different physical challenges, and weighed to see if they reached their target weights... |
2002 | Self | |
| The Weakest Link The Weakest Link The Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment... |
2003 | Self | aka Weakest Link Champions' League (UK) |
| Back to Reality | 2004 | Self | |
| Never Mind the Buzzcocks Never Mind the Buzzcocks Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two... |
2007 | Self | Mystery Guest |
External links
- Red Admiral Records redadmiralrecords.com