Scott Walker: Singer-songwriter dies aged 76
Written by News on 26/03/2019
Singer-songwriter Scott Walker has died aged 76, his record label says.
The American-born artist, who is known for hits such as The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore, is survived by his daughter Lee, his granddaughter Emmi-Lee, and his partner Beverly.
In a tribute to Walker, his label 4AD said: “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.”
Walker, who was born Noel Scott Engel and became a British citizen in 1970, was one third of The Walker Brothers and broke away in 1967 to perform as a solo artist.
After releasing four albums, Walker stepped back from public view for almost a decade before re-emerging in 1978 to record Niteflights, a mixture of Walker Brother tracks and his own solo songs.
David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker and Leonard Cohen are among those who cited Walker as an influence on their own music.
Thom Yorke, Radiohead’s singer-songwriter, paid tribute to the musician. He said: “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.”
Singer-songwriter Marc Almond wrote on Instagram: “Absolutely saddened shocked by the death of Scott Walker… An absolute musical genius, existential and intellectual and a star right from the days of the Walker Brothers.
“So many of his songs will go round in my head forever. And that voice. We lost Bowie, now we’ve lost him. There is surely a crack in the Universe. Thank you Scott.”
Last year, Walker wrote and produced the score to the film Vox Lux, starring Natalie Portman and Jude Law.
In 2017, the BBC paid tribute to him with a Royal Albert Hall Proms concert.
(c) Sky News 2019: Scott Walker: Singer-songwriter dies aged 76
