The news that experimental pop artist, and PRS for Music member, Scott Walker has died came via his label 4AD this morning (Monday).
The 4AD statement says: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Scott Walker. Scott was 76 years old and is survived by his daughter, Lee, his granddaughter, Emmi-Lee, and his partner Beverly.
‘For half a century, the genius of the man born Noel Scott Engel has enriched the lives of thousands, first as one third of The Walker Brothers, and later as a solo artist, producer and composer of uncompromising originality.
‘Scott Walker has been a unique and challenging titan at the forefront of British music: audacious and questioning, he has produced works that dare to explore human vulnerability and the godless darkness encircling it.’
Born Noel Scott Engel in 1943, in Hamilton, Ohio, US, he first found fame in the mid-sixties with the trio the Walker Brothers after he moved to the UK.
Following success of singles like Make it Easy on Yourself and The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore), Walker began his solo career in 1967 with the album Scott.
He released Scott 2 in 1968 followed by Scott 3 and Scott Walker Sings Song from his TV Series in 1969, and during this period he began to develop an idiosyncratic take on pop music that would shape his solo output.
Walker became a British Citizen in 1970 and by the mid-seventies he had reunited with the Walker Brothers to produce three records.
Returning to solo recording, Walker’s albums ventured into more avant-garde directions, and after signing with 4AD in 2004 he released Drift via the label in 2006, which continued in this experimental vein and received critical acclaim.
This late period of his career was productive, and in 2014 he joined forces with experimental metal band Sunn O))) for the album Soused.
Walker wrote a number of film scores, and his last recording was for the film Vox Lux starring Natalie Portman.
Music industry figures paid tribute to the late artist on social media with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke writing: ‘So very sad to hear that Scott Walker has passed away, he was a huge influence on Radiohead and myself, showing me how I could use my voice and words. Met him once at Meltdown, such a kind gentle outsider. He will be very missed.’
Cosey Fanni Tutti commented on Twitter: ‘This such a shock. Unbelievably sad. RIP the incredible Scott Walker.’
Marc Almond wrote on Instagram: ‘Absolutely saddened shocked by the death of Scott Walker. He gave me so much inspiration so much I owe to him and modelled on him even down to my early S C hair cut and dark glasses .…’
Producer Nigel Godrich said on Twitter: ‘So very sad to hear about Scott Walker.... truly one of the greats.. so unique and a real artist. On my way to work on the first day of recording OK Computer I passed him riding his bike on Chiswick High Street.. and when I got to the studio Thom was holding a copy of Scott 4.’
The 4AD statement says: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Scott Walker. Scott was 76 years old and is survived by his daughter, Lee, his granddaughter, Emmi-Lee, and his partner Beverly.
‘For half a century, the genius of the man born Noel Scott Engel has enriched the lives of thousands, first as one third of The Walker Brothers, and later as a solo artist, producer and composer of uncompromising originality.
‘Scott Walker has been a unique and challenging titan at the forefront of British music: audacious and questioning, he has produced works that dare to explore human vulnerability and the godless darkness encircling it.’
Born Noel Scott Engel in 1943, in Hamilton, Ohio, US, he first found fame in the mid-sixties with the trio the Walker Brothers after he moved to the UK.
Following success of singles like Make it Easy on Yourself and The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore), Walker began his solo career in 1967 with the album Scott.
He released Scott 2 in 1968 followed by Scott 3 and Scott Walker Sings Song from his TV Series in 1969, and during this period he began to develop an idiosyncratic take on pop music that would shape his solo output.
Walker became a British Citizen in 1970 and by the mid-seventies he had reunited with the Walker Brothers to produce three records.
Returning to solo recording, Walker’s albums ventured into more avant-garde directions, and after signing with 4AD in 2004 he released Drift via the label in 2006, which continued in this experimental vein and received critical acclaim.
This late period of his career was productive, and in 2014 he joined forces with experimental metal band Sunn O))) for the album Soused.
Walker wrote a number of film scores, and his last recording was for the film Vox Lux starring Natalie Portman.
Music industry figures paid tribute to the late artist on social media with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke writing: ‘So very sad to hear that Scott Walker has passed away, he was a huge influence on Radiohead and myself, showing me how I could use my voice and words. Met him once at Meltdown, such a kind gentle outsider. He will be very missed.’
Cosey Fanni Tutti commented on Twitter: ‘This such a shock. Unbelievably sad. RIP the incredible Scott Walker.’
Marc Almond wrote on Instagram: ‘Absolutely saddened shocked by the death of Scott Walker. He gave me so much inspiration so much I owe to him and modelled on him even down to my early S C hair cut and dark glasses .…’
Producer Nigel Godrich said on Twitter: ‘So very sad to hear about Scott Walker.... truly one of the greats.. so unique and a real artist. On my way to work on the first day of recording OK Computer I passed him riding his bike on Chiswick High Street.. and when I got to the studio Thom was holding a copy of Scott 4.’
