Scott Walker
photo by Jamie Hawkesworth

Scott Walker, RIP

Very sad news. The legendary Scott Walker has passed away at age 76. Cause of death not yet revealed. His label 4AD revealed the news in a statement:

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.

You can read more and see a timeline of Scott’s career here.

Scott’s storied career began in the 1960s when he was a member of the hit-making pop group The Walker Brothers, but Scott soon took a more avant-garde turn. His music got progressively more experimental on his solo albums, peaking with 1969’s now-classic Scott 4. He became more elusive and less prolific as time went on, but kept releasing brilliant, adventurous albums for the rest of his life, like his more recent classic, 2006’s The Drift. His final release was his score for last year’s Brady Corbet film, Vox Lux.

Scott’s impact on music stretches far and wide and has already lasted for generations. He’ll be missed and not forgotten, and his influence will surely live on for years to come. Rest in peace, Scott.

Fellow musicians have begun paying tribute, including Thom Yorke, Boy George, members of Ride, Soft Cell, Saint Etienne, Prefab Sprout, and more.

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