John Walker, the American-born musician
John Walker, the American-born musician who was the frontman for the Walker Brothers, one of the most successful bands of Britain’s Golden Age of rock `n’ roll, has died at age 67.
Walker died Saturday of liver cancer, his personal assistant, Polly Klemmer, told The Associated Press. He had continued to work until just a few weeks ago, making his last concert appearance in Los Angeles in March, Klemmer said Sunday.
He had his greatest success as the guitarist and vocalist for the Walker Brothers, which produced such 1960s hits as “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore,” “Love Her,” “Make it Easy on Yourself” and “My Ship Is Comin’ In.”
While the Beatles and other British groups were remaking the face of rock `n’ roll during the so-called British invasion of America in the mid-1960s, Walker moved from the United States to England instead.
There, he and two other Americans, bassist Scott Engel and drummer Gary Leeds, called themselves the Walker Brothers and each adopted Walker as his surname, although they were not related. They had instant success with their first British recording, 1964’s “Love Her,” and a string of hits quickly followed.
Walker, who was born John Maus, had begun using the name Walker professionally when he was 17, adopting it, according to some accounts, so he could obtain a fake I.D. that allowed him to play at nightclubs he was too young to legally enter.
He, Engel and drummer Al “Tiny” Schneider, first used the name Walker Brothers when they worked as the house band at the Hollywood nightclub Gazzari’s, shortly before he and Engel moved to Britain and joined Leeds.
As part of the Walker Brothers, he toured the world and sold more than 23 million records, according to his website.
The group also appeared on numerous British television shows in the 1960s, including the popular music programs “Ready, Steady, Go,” “Top of the Pops” and the “Billy Cotton Band Show.” He also appeared in the film “Beach Ball,” the German music series “Beat Club” and other shows.
Walker, who took up the guitar at age 14, began performing professionally in the late 1950s. By the early 1960s he was a regular at such popular Hollywood clubs as Pandora’s Box on the Sunset Strip and on the college circuit.
GMT 10:23 2018 Wednesday ,28 November
'SpongeBob SquarePants' creator Stephen Hillenburg dies at 57GMT 11:56 2018 Monday ,26 November
Oscar-winning Italian film-maker Bernardo Bertolucci dead at 77GMT 10:17 2018 Sunday ,25 November
Nicolas Roeg, celebrated director of 'Don't Look Now,' dies aged 90GMT 18:20 2018 Monday ,29 October
Bon Jovi to kick off 2019 European tour in Moscow, first show in Russia in 30 yearsGMT 20:06 2018 Monday ,22 October
"Burning" wins best picture at Daejong Film AwardsGMT 14:45 2018 Tuesday ,18 September
"Pataakha" stars coming to Dubai on September 23 to lay on their charmGMT 03:31 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
S.African jazz legend Hugh Masekela dies, aged 78GMT 02:33 2018 Saturday ,20 January
How to take a bullet, by 'Den of Thieves' star 50 CentMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor