Ohio-Born Pop Musician Scott Walker Dead At 76

An Ohio native and songwriter has died at age 76.

Noel Scott Engel — later to become Scott Walker of the Walker Brothers — was born in Ohio, the son of a geologist. He hailed from Hamilton, Ohio but became an integral part of the 1960s British pop invasion, where he found himself at the forefront of experimental pop music.

Starting his career as a bassist, Walker later became one of the key songwriters behind the Walker Brothers, an experimental pop band that had two No. 1 songs in 1960s. The group is best known for the songs "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" and "Make It Easy On Yourself."

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Walker found fame disconcerting and fled the public eye. He briefly embarked on a solo career before rejoining the Walker Brothers in the 1970s. He disappeared again before returning with another solo album in the 1980s. He returned again in the 1990s and for the past 15 years had been working with the 4AD music label.

"We are honoured to have worked with Scott for the last 15 years of his life," the label said on Monday when they announced Walker's death.

Walker is survived by his daughter, Lee, his granddaughter, Emmi-Lee, and his partner Beverly.

Here is a performance from the Walker Brothers.