Music

Scott Walker: musician of ‘uncompromising originality’ dies aged 76


In brief

  • Musician Scott Walker has died aged 76
  • The Ohio-born musician celebrated hits with the three piece such as Make It Easy On Yourself and My Ship Is Coming In

Scott Walker, one of “the most revered innovators at the sharp end of creative music”, has died aged 76.

The musician, formerly of The Walker Brothers, celebrated global stardom as a band member and as a solo artist of “uncompromising originality.”

‘He has enriched the life of thousands’

The Ohio-born musician celebrated hits with the three piece such as “Make It Easy On Yourself” and “My Ship Is Coming In”.

He later released his own work under the eponymously titled Scott, Scott 1, Scott 2, Scott 3 and Scott 4 albums.

Alongside his own experimental pop music, Walker, whose real name was Noel Scott Engel, was applauded for his composition work.

His most recent work was music composed for the Natalie Portman movie Vox Lux, reported The Guardian.

In 2017, his music was celebrated with a Proms concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

He was also awarded MOJO’s Icon Award as well as a special contribution to music award by Q.

Scott Walker of The Walker Brothers takes centre stage (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)

A statement from 4AD, his record label revealed the news, saying: “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.”

The cause of the musician’s death has not been announced.

‘Such a kind, gentle outsider’

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke said he is “so very sad” to hear of the death of Walker, whom he said was a “huge influence” on himself and his band.

He tweeted: “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 said he is “absolutely saddened” and “shocked” at Walker‘s death.

“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,” Almond wrote on Instagram.

“He cemented my love for Brel. He was enigmatic, mysterious and with some of his latter recordings, to me, infuriating.

“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.”

Additional reporting by Press Association





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