AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Walker Brothers

Artist:The Walker Brothers
Song:Make It Easy On Yourself
Album:My Ship Is Coming In: The Collection





Make It Easy On Yourself was one of two US top twenty hits for The Walker Brothers in 1965. But in England, their popularity rivaled The Beatles for a short time. Here they were perceived as a British Invasion group. But they weren't British, they weren't brothers and they didn't play their instruments on their records. The group formed in Los Angeles in 1964. Drummer Gary Leeds was a member of The Standells (Dirty Water). He had just returned from a tour of England with PJ Proby and thought his band with bassist Scott Engel and guitarist John Maus could go over well in England. They called themselves The Walker Brothers because they liked it. The Righteous Brothers weren't brothers either. They moved to England in 1965 and signed with Philips Records and producer Johnny Franz. He also produced Dusty Springfield. Their first single with Maus singing lead flopped. But their second single Love Her with Engel singing lead hit the top 20. Make It Easy On Yourself topped the British charts and reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Make It Easy On Yourself was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and was a top 20 hit for Jerry Butler in 1962. Their other big hit The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) also topped the British charts and reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. That was originally recorded by Frankie Valli. Though those were their only US hits, they continued to chart in England and got a lot of attention from screaming girls. The Walker Brothers orchestrated pop sound was not typical of bands at that time and by 1968 , their sound became dated and they split up. They also didn't play their instruments in the studio. Franz used studio musicians. Scott Walker went on to a significant solo career in England and continues to perform today. The Walker Brothers reunited in 1976 and had a UK top ten with No Regrets. Gary Walker is still an active musician in England and John Walker is a custom guitar builder in San Diego. This 2CD comp is very reasonably priced. You may have thought that The Walker Brothers were British. Now you now better. Here are The Walker Brothers performing Make It Easy On Yourself preceded by an interview with Gary Walker on the Simon Dee Show 1965.