John Walker of the Walker Brothers, RIP
The NME reports that John Maus, best known as John Walker of cult '60s vocal trio The Walker Brothers, passed away at his home in Los Angeles last Saturday, May 7, "after a six month battle with liver cancer." He was 67.
Maus formed the trio with fellow singers Scott Engel and Gary Leeds in LA in 1964. They all took the stage surname "Walker" before relocating to the UK in 1965. The group's initial gimmick (a band of handsome Americans selling epic vocal harmonies to the UK in the middle of "the British invasion" of the US charts) paid off with a series of hit singles including the astonishing "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore."
John Walker sang several leads on the brother's albums, though his and Gary Walker's contributions to the group have been overshadowed by the mysterious charisma and enduring cult status of Scott Walker.
More from the report:
"It's a very sad day for John's family, myself and all of our many fans," a statement on Gary Walker's website Gary-Walker.net added.
"John was the founder member of the group and lead singer in the early days. He was also a fantastic guitarist which a lot of people didn't realise. He was a compassionate song-writer and a gentleman with lots of style.
"His music will live on, and therefore so will John. T-birds and Bentleys."
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