Video

The Walker Brothers were a 1960s and 1970s pop group, originally a rock band, founded by three Californians, who became most successful in the UK. They were not related, and adopted the "Walker Brothers" name as a show business touch. The Walker Brothers formed in Los Angeles in 1964. John Maus band, in which Scott Engel played bass, had a residency at Gazzaris Club, and were seen one night by local drummer Gary Leeds. All three had played in other bands Engel had played, for example, with the Routers, and Leeds with the Standells. Leeds had recently returned from touring the UK as a member of P. J. Probys backing band and along with club regular Brian Jones[1] - thought that the bands rock'n'roll and blues style would go down well in swinging London, where Proby had already succeeded. Before leaving, they appeared in a film, Beach Ball, and they sent demo recordings to record companies in England. With Leeds stepfather as sponsor, the three moved to London in February 1965. When they landed, producer Johnny Franz was keen to sign them up. In a short time they had played several prestigious venues around Britain and secured a recording contract with Philips Records. Their first single, "Pretty Girls Everywhere", with Maus as lead singer, had little initial success, but after radio stations started playing the B-side, "Love Her" , with Engels baritone vocals, it made the UK Top 20 in June 1965. Philips then quickly recorded and rush-released the group's version of "Make It Easy on Yourself", a Bacharach and David ballad previously recorded by Jerry Butler. The record was sung by Engel (by now called Scott Walker), arranged by Ivor Raymonde and produced by Johnny Franz, with a full orchestra augmented by session musicians, very much in the style of Phil Spectors productions. Session musicians on the record included Alan Parker and Big Jim Sullivan - some later Walker Brothers records may also have involved Jimmy Page. By August 1965, "Make It Easy on Yourself" had entered the British Top 10 eventually reaching the Number One spot. Later in the year it also made #16 in the US charts.