Rik Waller
| Rik Waller | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1981 (age 34–35)
|
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Years active | 2001–2007 |
| Labels | EMI, Red Admiral, Coeur De Lion |
| Associated acts | Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band/Rik Waller's Unfinished Business |
Richard "Rik" Waller (born 1981, Gillingham, Kent) was an English singer and from 2013 has been an exam invigilator.
Career
Pop Idol
Waller was to be a finalist in the first series of the British ITV television series Pop Idol having initially made it into the last ten of the show, but then pulled out due to severe laryngitis, and his place was taken by Darius Danesh.[1]
EMI
Following the show, Waller signed a recording contract with EMI in a deal worth approximately £400,000.[2] His first single was a cover version of Dolly Parton's song "I Will Always Love You" which made No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] He followed this up with another top 40 hit, recorded originally by Labi Siffre, "(Something Inside) So Strong".[3] Both of these songs appear on Waller's album From Now.
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.[4] Two months into Waller's Beyond Reality Tour 2004, three concerts were cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Among them was a show at the Princess Theatre in Torquay, Devon, for which only two tickets were sold.[5]
His second album Innocence was released in September 2005. The band was subsequently renamed 'Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band', and then renamed 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.
Personal life
He was educated at The Howard School, Rainham, Kent. After ending his singing career in 2007, he took up employment as an exam invigilator in Sittingbourne, Kent.[6][7]
Discography
Albums
- From Now... (July 2002)
- Innocence (July 2005)
Singles
- "I Will Always Love You" (March 2002) – UK No. 6
- "(Something Inside) So Strong" (June 2002) – UK #25[3]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pop Idol | 2001 | Self | |
| Pop Idol Extra | 2001 | Self | |
| Esther | 2002 | Self | |
| Kelly | 2002 | Self | |
| Top of the Pops | 2002 | Self | |
| Celebrity Fit Club | 2002 | Self | |
| The Weakest Link | 2003 | Self | aka Weakest Link Champions' League (UK) |
| Back to Reality | 2004 | Self | |
| Never Mind the Buzzcocks | 2007 | Self | Mystery Guest |
References
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/03/28/rik-waller-pop-idol-exam-invigilator_n_2969535.html
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1797558.stm
- 1 2 3 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 590. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ "Red Admiral Records LLP: Kent record label and publisher - A growing record label with some very special artists". Redadmiralrecords.com. 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
- ↑ "Rik Waller sells two tickets". Music-News.com. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
- ↑ "Rik Waller Of 'Pop Idol' Fame Reveals He's Now An Exam Invigilator". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
- ↑ https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1815603/remember-pop-idol-star-rik-waller-heres-what-the-heavyweight-crooner-is-up-to-now/