Roger Payne was a biologist who discovered whale song and released a popular album featuring his recordings.
- Died: June 10, 2023 (Who else died on June 10?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in South Woodstock, Vermont, of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma at the age of 88.
- We invite you to share condolences for Roger Payne in our Guest Book.
Roger Payne’s legacy
Payne began studying whales out of a desire to do conservation-focused research. In fact, he had never seen a whale when he decided to make them his life’s work; he had spent his early career studying how moths, bats, and owls use sound. But when he had his first chance to listen to the songs of humpback whales, he was fascinated. Working alongside researcher Scott McVay, Payne recorded and analyzed the sounds made by humpback whales, determining that their vocalizations included repeated patterns comparable to human music.
In 1970, Payne released some of his whale recordings as the album “Songs of the Humpback Whale.” He believed that hearing those songs would help others fall in love with whales and work to keep them from extinction. “Songs of the Humpback Whale” became the bestselling album of nature sounds of all time, with proceeds benefiting the Whale Fund of the Wildlife Conservation Society. More importantly, the album jumpstarted the “Save the Whales” movement, which directly led first to a 10-year moratorium on commercial whaling and then to an outright ban by the International Whaling Commission.
In 1971, Payne founded Ocean Alliance, a non-profit organization protecting whales, dolphins, and porpoises. It continues to operate today. He was a professor at Rockefeller University and a research zoologist at the New York Zoological Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Payne wrote several books, including “Among Whales,” and he hosted, co-wrote, and co-produced documentaries such as “In the Company of Whales” and “Finite Oceans.” His recordings of whale song were heard in “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” and were included on the Voyager Golden Records that were sent into space in 1977.
Notable quote
“Just imagine what would be possible if we understood what animals are saying to each other; what occupies their thoughts; what they love, fear, desire, avoid, hate, are intrigued by, and treasure. If we could communicate with animals, ask them questions and receive answers—no matter how simple those questions and answers might turn out to be—the world might soon be moved enough to at least start the process of halting our runaway destruction of life.” —from a June 2023 essay for Time magazine
Tributes to Roger Payne
Full obituary: The New York Times
