12 November, 1943 - 7 May, 2011
John Walker, the singer, songwriter, musician and co-founder of the clasic 60s group The Walker Brothers has died aged 7 May at his home in Los Angeles.
Born John Maus in 1943 in New York, he moved with his family to California in 1947. Maus changed his name to Walker after he started performing gigs in Los Angeles as he thought it would be easier to pronounce than his real surname.
In the early 1960s Walker teamed up with Scott Engel and Gary Leeds to become The Walker Brothers. John was the original lead singer with the band before Scott took the lead following their 1964 single Love Her. The band relocated to England where they had their greatest commercial successes with massive hit songs such as Make It Easy On Yourself and The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore.
The Walker Brothers became one of the UK's most popular acts but tensions within the band caused them to split in 1968. John Walker went on to release a hit single Annabella in 196 and an album If You Go Away.
In 1974, the Walker Brothers re-formed and had hits with the album and single No Regrets in 1976.
In the mid 1980s John moved back to the US from England, settling in San Diego. Walker began writing and composing material and formed his own publishing company.
John Walker returned several times to the UK, performing on successful 'revival' package shows.
A statement on the official John Walker website reads: 'It is with our deepest sadness to report that Mr. John Walker passed away in his Los Angeles area home on May 7, 2011. He was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and artiste.'
John Walker, the singer, songwriter, musician and co-founder of the clasic 60s group The Walker Brothers has died aged 7 May at his home in Los Angeles.
Born John Maus in 1943 in New York, he moved with his family to California in 1947. Maus changed his name to Walker after he started performing gigs in Los Angeles as he thought it would be easier to pronounce than his real surname.
In the early 1960s Walker teamed up with Scott Engel and Gary Leeds to become The Walker Brothers. John was the original lead singer with the band before Scott took the lead following their 1964 single Love Her. The band relocated to England where they had their greatest commercial successes with massive hit songs such as Make It Easy On Yourself and The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore.
The Walker Brothers became one of the UK's most popular acts but tensions within the band caused them to split in 1968. John Walker went on to release a hit single Annabella in 196 and an album If You Go Away.
In 1974, the Walker Brothers re-formed and had hits with the album and single No Regrets in 1976.
In the mid 1980s John moved back to the US from England, settling in San Diego. Walker began writing and composing material and formed his own publishing company.
John Walker returned several times to the UK, performing on successful 'revival' package shows.
A statement on the official John Walker website reads: 'It is with our deepest sadness to report that Mr. John Walker passed away in his Los Angeles area home on May 7, 2011. He was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and artiste.'
