UFO's Paul Raymond dead at 73

Paul Martin Raymond
November 16, 1945 - April 13, 2019

Paul Raymond, best known as the keyboardist/guitarist for UK hard rockers UFO, died today from a heart attack. Prior to his passing, Raymond had finished touring for the UK and Ireland portion of UFO's Last Orders 50th Anniversary Tour- what is being promoted as the band's last world tour. The band's last performance was on April 5 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, England. Raymond was 73. 

Raymond started his career as a jazz musician around 1964. Prior to joining UFO, Raymond was a member of Savoy Brown and Chicken Shack- replacing Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac fame in the latter. Raymond joined UFO in 1976, replacing original keyboardist Danny Peyronel. Raymond's first album with UFO was 1977's Lights Out. Raymond would stick with the band until 1981, leaving to join bands with his UFO bandmates: first with Michael Schenker's group MSG and later with Pete Way's Waysted. Despite his depature, Raymond would sporadically rejoin UFO throughout the years- 1984-86, 1993-98 and 2003-19. Among Raymond's other highlights are performing with pop group Plastic Penny and Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan.    

Scott Walker dead at 76

Note: This obituary on Scott Walker was written almost a month ago. I didn't post this since I wasn't sure if this did him justice. After looking it over again, I think it's okay. While this is late, I feel like this still needs to be posted.

Noel Scott Engel (aka Scott Walker)

January 9, 1943 - March 22, 2019

Singer Scott Walker died last week on Friday March 22, according to his label 4AD in a press release. The cause of death has yet to be announced. According to 4AD, Walker is survived by his daughter Lee, his granddaughter Emmi-Lee and his partner Beverly. Walker was 76.

Born in Hamilton, Ohio as Noel Scott Engel, Walker was the son of Noel Walter and Elizabeth Engel. With his father working as an oil industry manager, Walker and his family moved on/off up until 1959 when he and his mother settled in California.  Walker's career started early as he was a child actor and singer. His appearances on Eddie Fisher's TV show lead Walker into the spotlight. As Walker grew up, his tastes in music began to change. While Fisher's show was making Walker into a teen idol, Walker had already developed an interest in jazz music and European films. While still in his teens, Walker was able to do some session work in Los Angeles. Around the early 1960s, Walker met musician John Maus- who was using the name John Walker. The two would end up working together for the next several years until 1964 when they met drummer Gary Leeds. This trio would form the Walker Brothers. The group would soon move to Britain, where they had two No. 1 hits- "Make It Easy on Yourself" and "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)." 

When the Walker Brothers split in 1968, Walker embarked on a solo career. Whereas the Walker Brothers had made pop music, Walker's sound took a turn as he used his distinctive baritone voice to sing a more diverse collection of tunes. Walker's first few solo albums saw him delving into Broadway hits, big band jazz and avant garde. Despite positive reviews, Walker's albums were not best sellers. As a result, Walker would often disconnect himself from the general public- becoming somewhat of a recluse. Commercial failure resulted in Walker giving into the label's demands, resulting in him releasing albums that his heart wasn't completely in. Despite his lack of success, artists such as David Bowie and Jarvis Cocker would cite Walker as an influence. After years of inactivity during the 1980s, Walker returned to music in 1995 with the release of Tilt- a critically acclaimed return to form. Until his death, Walker would continue to make music until his death. His latest albums was the soundtrack to the Natalie Portman movie Vox Lux in 2018.