The music world says goodbye to another great today as Scott Walker has died at the age of 76. The influential musician rose to fame in the '60s as a teen idol in The Walker Brothers, enjoying a following that rivalled The Beatles with hits such as "The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore'. A life of fame wasn't for him though and Walker walked away from the spotlight going on to become a pioneer of avant-garde music, once referred to as "pop’s own Salinger".
Walker's label 4AD announced the news today: "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."
It goes on to say: "From teen idol to cultural icon, Scott leaves to future generations a legacy of extraordinary music; a brilliant lyricist with a haunting singing voice, he has been one of the most revered innovators at the sharp end of creative music, whose influence on many artists has been freely acknowledged.
"The scope and dynamism of his vision have added dimension to both film and dance, and he has stunned audiences with music whose composition transcends genre, and whose sheer originality defies pigeonholing." (Read the statement in full here.)
Radiohead's Tom Yorke is among many fellow artists and fans who have been paying tribute to Walker.
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. https://t.co/v33Ey91hbn
— Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) March 25, 2019
A painter in sound has gone. Travel on well and thankyou, SCOTT WALKER.
— Mike Scott (@MickPuck) March 25, 2019
Just about the saddest day, music-wise, I can imagine. Scott Walker’s work has been an inspiration, a refuge, a travelling companion, the go-to soundtrack for anything & everything these past 25 years. Rest easy, you extraordinary man. pic.twitter.com/nGNIfKXSuu
— Mark Paytress🌿 (@Paytress) March 25, 2019
I took that as a good omen.
— nigel godrich 🌈 (@nigelgod) March 25, 2019
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 .… https://t.co/ux5f9B1rjh
— Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) March 25, 2019
No!! Scott Walker. 😔
— Mark Gatiss 💙 (@Markgatiss) March 25, 2019
A pioneer in the truest sense, one the greatest, most important voices in the history of music. RIP Scott Walker. https://t.co/DhnAB1wcOw
— Jon Hillcock (@jonhillcock) March 25, 2019
This is quite hard to articulate in a tweet but I think something has died with Scott Walker. He was the last one - the only one - of his generation of musicians who believed music could be pushed forward and sound new every time. He was a modernist and a great artist.
— Andy Miller (@i_am_mill_i_am) March 25, 2019