R.I.P. John Walker (of the Walker Brothers)

[John Etherington]

Sad news. John Walker (John Maus) died in Los Angeles on May 7th. I'm so saddened by this news... The Walker Brothers were the first great band I saw live (Hammersmith 5th Nov '66). I was touched by the fact that John asked me to be his friend on myspace (even though I never met him). Sadly, we can no longer hope for a reunion.

[Mabeanie1]

I am so shocked - and very, very sad. I didn't know he was ill. I saw John in concert relatively recently on one of the Solid Silver 60s tours. I was a massive fan of the Walker Brothers in the 60s and like you John E, they were the first band I saw live (having failed to get tickets to see the Beatles at Birmingham Odeon) possibly on the same tour, though I did see them at least a couple of times. I was curious to see how John tackled theWalker Bros hits on the SSS tour - to me they would never be the same without Scott's voice but John actually made a decent job of songs like Sun and Make it Easy. He enjoyed something of a renaissance amongst Walker fans as a result of these tours. I think he even did a "Walkers" gig somewhere down south with Gary and the Mike Powell, the guy who impersonated Scott on Stars in their Eyes. John will be missed by many.

Wendy

[friscogrl]

Didn't somebody make a movie about The Walker Brothers?

M

[Mabeanie1]

Not that I've ever heard of Marsha- but I'm quite prepared to be proved wrong.

Wendy

[joyezekiel]

Another part of our teenage years gone.......

Joy

[Steven]

Sad news. John Walker (John Maus) died in Los Angeles on May 7th. I'm so saddened by this news... The Walker Brothers were the first great band I saw live (Hammersmith 5th Nov '66). I was touched by the fact that John asked me to be his friend on myspace (even though I never met him). Sadly, we can no longer hope for a reunion.

Hi John,

Yes, sad news that John Walker passed away. Never saw the Walker Brothers in concert, but
enjoyed hearing their music on the radio. Heard these songs often on local radio when I was a youth:

"The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NQQkfsieWc

"Make It Easy On Yourself": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZTS9H-l5qQ.

Thanks for posting about this.

[Diane]

I can't claim to have been a fan, but it's always sad when a music icon dies. RIP.

[John Etherington]

OMG, Diane...just grab a copy of this, and marvel! http://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Lights-Go ... 582&sr=1-6

[Mabeanie1]

Scott issued a very dignified & moving press statement:

"It's very sad news, and even though we'd gone our separate ways long ago and hadn't really been in contact for well over two decades, I still have undiminished memories of our early days together of the tall, shining character who stood next to me singing so beautifully."

Wendy

[AlanM]

This is more about Scott Walker than John.
This thread revived my memories of The Walker Brothers and especially Scott as a solo artist.
I have a memory of seeing him on TV just after the break-up, looking very nervous.
What a voice!
He is my 2nd favourite male singer after you know who. He did some fabulous interpretations of English versions of Brel songs, but also Tim Hardin and many of his own compositions.
Brel best: If You Go Away, Amsterdam, My Death.
Hardin best: Black Sheep Boy, Lady Came From Baltmore.
He never covered a Cohen song, but I have often wondered how he would have presented it/them.
There are some gems in his own lyrics - I particularly like "The Amorous Humphrey Plugg" (a less-than-enthralling title) that contains the lines:-
"Oh to die of kisses, ecstasies and charms,
Pavements of poets will write
That I died in nine angels’ arms."

What a way to go!

Alan
p.s. Another excellent version of "If You Go Away" is by Dusty Springfield - very sensitive.

[John Etherington]

Alan - I've often wondered whether Scott's "Angels of Ashes" was inspired by Leonard's "Sisters of Mercy"...what do you think? As I recall, "Scott 4" was released about a year after "The Songs of Leonard Cohen". Also, with his interest in Jacques Brel and Tim Hardin, I would imagine that Scott would have listened to Leonard's music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtiI_03dNkE

[AlanM]

Hi John,
Very astute observation - you could be right, especially as the song approaches the end.
I bought Scott 1 and 2 (on vinyl) and listened to them almost as often as Songs of LC and Songs From A Room. In all 4 albums the lyrics were what attracted me.
I wasn't as taken with 3, but love quite a lot of 4. Scott 4 was released on vinyl in 1969 and on CD in 1992.
Imagine my excitement in finding "Tilt" in a music store! Fortunately the owner knew me, and my contribution to his profit margin, and suggested I listen before buying. I found it too weird and too far away from my earlier memories and did not purchase it.
So I indulge in my past and play Walker Brothers and Scott 1 -> 4 quite frequently.
Other than new LC albums I have purchased few albums by anybody since the 70s.

Alan

[John Etherington]

Hi Alan,

I heard Scott 1- 4 in the Sixties, as my sister bought them all on vinyl. Since then, I've bought them twice on CD (including the remasters). I also have "Climate of Hunter", "Tilt" and "The Drift" on CD, and was lucky enough to find them new for £3.00 each. I must say they've become increasingly unlistenable. I did like "Farmer in the City" from "Tilt" very much (which is similar to "Boy Child"). However, "The Drift" has rightly been described as a journey into the seventh level of Hell! I would recommend the DVD about Scott "21st Century Boy", if you don't have it.

All the best, John E

[AlanM]

Hi John,
I did see the doco on TV a few years ago. I thought it was called 30th Century Boy, but I could be wrong (old age, you know).
I found it interesting but although I recorded it I didn't feel it was interesting enough to keep.
I would love to ask a fluent French speaker how the English translations of the Brel songs compare to the originals.
There is an Australian performer who sings Brel songs in French, but my schoolboy French has faded away and if I can't understand the words, he may as well be singing his shopping list.

I also quite like Rod Stewart's version of Tim Hardin's Reason To Believe. However I don't enjoy the latest turn of his career.

Still gets back to LC - loved what he did in the late 60s and ever since. (Won't mention Death Of A Ladies Man though.)

I tried to persuade dce to listen to Scott, especially the Brel songs, but he was quite resistant. Haven't seen him for a while, but I may try to influence him again when the cricket season restarts here.

Best wishes,

Alan

[Kush]

I like every Scott Walker album made. I wouldnt say Drift is unlistenable or a journey to hell or anything like that. His later albums certainly stretch the realm of song but in interesting ways i think. Judge for yourself....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYyOkQUyJZM (Jesse).
If nothing else he gets credit for taking risks

p.s. sorry I know next to nothing of Walker brothers but RIP to all who have passed on.

p.p.s actually strip away the electronics and the overall sound (music + voice) is not so different from a series of albums Sinatra made in the 50s and 60s. Only the Lonely, In the Wee Small Hours etc. The more things change the more they remain the same.