Sun ain't gonna shine on John any more

A few more deaths to report. Firstly, John Walker, leader of the Walker Brothers (with Scott Engel and Gary Leeds). I was never a great fan of their middle of the road 60s hits such as Make It Easy on Yourself and The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any More, but they had undoubted success and their smooth harmonies had lasting appeal. John Walker, (born John Maus) grew up in California and early friends included Ritchie Valens and Carl and Dennis Wilson, whom he allegedly taught to play guitar. He first recorded with his sister as the duo John and Judy for a variety of labels including Aladdin and Arvee, before teaming up with Scott Engel to tour as members of a fake Surfaris. After meeting Gary Leeds they tried their luck in the UK as the Walker Brothers and had great success in the late 60s, before breaking up in 1969. John recorded as a solo artist, including the LP If You Go Away (pictured) and the Walkers reformed in the mid 70s to record the album No Regrets. The first of Walker's four wives was Kathy Young, of A Thousand Stars fame.

The world of sport has seen significant deaths in the last week - of Henry Cooper and Seve Ballesteros - while other recent music deaths include soul songstress Phoebe Snow, Nigel Pickering, founder and vocalist with Spanky and Our Gang, and Tom King, founder of 60s US band The Outsiders. There was also that Bin Laden bloke - apparently.

Here's Respectable by the Outsiders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Ai6qWSrBU