Tribute to Sixties singing legend

John Walker — pictured at his Oldham gig

‘To work with John was an immense honour’
A LOCAL tribute has been paid to Sixties legend John Walker of Walker Brothers fame, who died after losing his battle with liver cancer at the weekend.

Martin Schofield, who owns Lees-based studio Wall Of Sound, spoke about the star after hearing news of his death yesterday.

Martin came into contact with the singing star during his recent tours around the North-West, when he would prepare at his studio.

In April last year John — real name John Maus (67) — who scored massive chart hits with songs such as Make It Easy On Yourself, and The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore — thrilled crowds at the Uppermill Civic Hall.

He was forced to cancel a scheduled performance in the borough in January due to ill health.

Martin said: “He was a fantastic person, an absolute gentleman and he became a good friend over the years.

“It was an immense honour to be able to work with someone like John and somebody of his stature.

“He spent a lot of time with his fans after the concert in Uppermill, people were bringing photographs from when they saw him in the Sixties.

“He was generous in that sense, he had time for every single person there.

“John was a wonderful person and he will be greatly missed.”

The band was formed in 1964, when three unrelated musicians Scott Engel, John Maus and Gary Leeds adopted the Walker Brothers name. John died at his home in Los Angeles.