Gary Leeds, Last Surviving Star of The Walker Brothers, Dies at 83

Gary Leeds, the final surviving member of the renowned musical group The Walker Brothers, passed away at the age of 83. His death occurred on March 1 in Essex, following a stroke he experienced shortly before Christmas. Leeds was the drummer and vocalist for the trio, which first gained prominence in the mid-1960s.

The Walker Brothers, comprised of Gary Leeds, Scott Walker (John Maus), and John Walker (Noel Scott Engel), relocated to London in 1965. They quickly achieved widespread success with their rendition of Burt Bacharach's 'Make It Easy On Yourself'. Their follow-up hits included 'My Ship Is Coming In' and the chart-topping 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore' in 1966.

Despite their immense popularity, especially among teenage fans, the pressures of fame led to the group's initial split in 1968. The Walker Brothers reunited in 1975, releasing one more chart success, 'No Regrets,' before disbanding again in 1978. Scott Walker passed away in 2019, and John Walker died in 2011. Gary Leeds is survived by his wife, Barbara, to whom he was married for 46 years, their son Michael, daughter-in-law Louise, and grandson Robert.