David Wiffen (11 March 1942 – 5 April 2026) was an English-Canadian folk singer-songwriter. Two of his songs, "Driving Wheel" and "More Often Than Not", have become cover standards.

Early life

Wiffen was born in Redhill, Surrey, England. He spent his early childhood with his mother, living on an aunt's farm in Chipstead, while his father, an engineer, contributed to the war effort. Following the war, Wiffen's family relocated to London and, in 1954, to Claygate, Surrey, where Wiffen attended Hinchley Wood School. Wiffen came to Canada at the age of 16.

In 1965, having moved to Vancouver, Wiffen was invited to perform at The Bunkhouse club on a live ensemble album. It became Wiffen's first solo album, David Wiffen at the Bunkhouse Coffeehouse, Vancouver BC, on the Universal International label, when the other invited musicians failed to show up.

He was subsequently in several bands, including The Pacers, based in Prince George, British Columbia, where he was the lead vocalist, and The Children, based in Ottawa. Members of The Children included William Hawkins, Bruce Cockburn, Sneezy Waters and Richard Patterson. He subsequently joined 3's a Crowd, whose initial members included Brent Titcomb, Donna Warner, Trevor Veitch and Richard Patterson. Wiffen also cohosted a television variety series on Ottawa station CJOH with Ann Mortifee, which was produced for a period by William Hawkins.

Wiffen subsequently signed to Fantasy Records as a solo artist. In 1971, he released David Wiffen, and had hit singles with "One Step" and "More Often Than Not". The album also contained his most widely covered song, "Driving Wheel". By this time a number of his songs had been recorded by other musicians, including Harry Belafonte, Anne Murray and Tom Rush. though found his success diminishing and a consequent source of frustration and depression, compared to the success of contemporaries Bruce Cockburn and Murray McLauchlan. Alcohol abuse compounded the difficulties he was experiencing in his musical career. but then stopped performing publicly. As of 2008 and through much of 2009, Wiffen was on EMI's list of "missing royaltors".

In 2015, Songs From the Lost and Found, was released, containing material written and recorded between 1973 and the early 1980s, in the years after the release of Wiffen's Coast to Coast Fever album. The master tapes were thought lost for many years, but surfaced among the effects of former bandmate Richard Patterson, who died in 2011. In 2024, a compilation of these recordings appeared as Timeless Songs.

Death

Wiffen died at a hospice in Ottawa, Ontario, on 5 April 2026, at the age of 84.

Discography

Albums

  • David Wiffen at the Bunkhouse Coffeehouse, Vancouver BC (Universal International, 1965; CD reissue via Mousehole Music, 2021)
  • David Wiffen (Fantasy, 1971; expanded CD reissue via Water, 2014)
  • Coast to Coast Fever (United Artists, 1973; CD reissue via EMI Music Canada, 1994)
  • South of Somewhere (True North, 1999)
  • Songs from the Lost and Found (True North, 2015)
  • Timeless Songs: Unreleased Stage & Studio Recordings 1974/93 (New Shot Records, 2024)

Appearances

  • Christopher's Movie Matinée - 3's a Crowd (ABC Dunhill, 1968). Wiffen was a band member, and his song "Don't Want To Drive You Away" is included.
  • Camp Fortune 1974 - David Wiffen / Tex Lecor (Radio Canada International RM 226, 1974) - A CBC transcription recording including five live recordings from David Wiffen (reissued in 2024 on Timeless Songs).
  • Touch the Earth - Various Artists (CBC LM 473, 1981) - Compilation of songs mostly originally broadcast on CBC's "Touch The Earth" program in the 1970s. Includes "Cool Green River" by David Wiffen.

Covers

"Driving Wheel (Lost My Driving Wheel)" was covered by Tom Rush on his 1970 self-titled album, Roger McGuinn in 1973 on his self-titled first solo album. It was also recorded by Greg Harris (1982). The Cowboy Junkies released several versions. Matt Minglewood (Drivin' Wheel 1999), The Jayhawks (Live From The Women's Club, Vol. 1 2002), Ray Wylie Hubbard (Rounder/Philo, 2005), Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes (Brothers of a Feather: Live at the Roxy 2007), the Chris Robinson Brotherhood during live performances throughout 2011 & 2012, and by British singer-songwriter Rumer, who recorded it for a BBC live session in 2011.

"More Often Than Not" has been covered by Jerry Jeff Walker in 1970 on his Bein' Free album, Ian & Sylvia (1971), and Eric Andersen on his 1972 Blue River album.

"Mr. Wiffen (Is Incommunicado Today)" has been covered by Harry Belafonte on his 1973 album Play Me.

"Skybound Station", from Coast to Coast Fever, has been covered by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings on their Kings of Love album (1999).

"I Don't Want To Drive You Away" was covered by Anne Murray, as "David's Song".

"Smoke Rings" was covered by Hiss Golden Messenger on a Parallelogram LP also featuring Michael Chapman (singer) by Three Lobed Recordings released in December 2015.

References

  • Profile of David Wiffen at nickwarburton.com
  • Profile of David Wiffen at maplemusic.com
  • Profile of David Wiffen at thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
  • Profile of Sneezy Waters
  • Profile of The Children