John Walker

You were a well-established musician on the Hollywood music scene in the late 1950s working with your big sister Judy.  Who were your greatest influences at this time?

In the early days, I was listening to Johnny Cash, Little Richard,Fats Domino,Ray Charles, and Elvis. My biggest influence was Richie Valens. I saw him live playing with only a drummer, I thought I can do that, and I did.

Is it true that you gave guitar lessons to Carl Wilson and David Marks – future Beach Boys?

I gave guitar lessons to Carl Wilson and David Marks who was one of the original Beach Boys. It wasn't that I was a great guitarist, I just knew a lot more than they did so I taught them and as I did I had to keep on improving myself.

How did you meet Scott and Gary?

 I first met Scott on a TV show at CBS  in Hollywood we both had small parts in a TV play. I didn't see him again until 1962. I was playing in a place call Pandora's Box on the strip in Hollywood. Scott was in a surf band call the routers, they were guest artistes at the club one night. the next day Scott called me and asked if I was looking for a new Bass player, as it happens I was so I hired him. He brought along a Drummer named Spyder Webb, he was really good, so that became the new John and Judy Band. During that time I met Gary when he was in the Standells another Hollywood Band.

Why did you choose the name the Walker Brothers for the band?

 I had been using the name Walker when I started playing years ago. Our record company, Mercury like the name Walker, so we ended up being The Walker Brothers.

I believe that you chose Make It Easy as the group’s next single.  What attracted you to the song?

 After we recorded LOVE HER, it was a challenge to find a really strong piece of material that had all the elements we were looking for. I remember hearing the Jerry Butler version of Make It Easy, so we tried it out and it worked really well. I knew it was going to be a hit.

 Why do you think the Walker Brothers were so popular in the UK?

 I don't know why we were so popular, it could have been that we were different than the other groups. The music and the recordings were very well done. A lot of effort on every ones' part went into making that happen.

Is it true that the Walker Brothers’ fan club in the UK had, by the end of 1966, more members than The Beatles?

 I don't know about the fan club stuff. We were in the top three Beatles, Rollings Stones, Walker Brothers. That I do know.

Do you think being based in the UK impacted on US sales?

 We never played in the USA during our UK success. Make It Easy and Sun Ain't Gonna Shine were hits in the USA but we didn't pursue the market.

After the split in 1968 do you remember your first solo gig?

 To be honest I really don't remember my first solo shows, I think I was too terrified at the time to notice.

What prompted you get back together with Gary and Scott in the mid-seventies?

 I was living in the USA and happened to see the film "Deadlier Than The Male" We did the Theme for it, and I thought that it would be great to get back together and have another go. So I rang Scott, he called Gary so we started again. GTO signed us and were off.

What attracted you to the role of recording engineer? – You built your own recording studio I believe?

 After the split again in the 70s, I wanted to have my own studio so I could try out new things work on music and figure out how to make records. I had the advantage of having recorded in some of the best in the world so I had a good place to start from. IT TOOK YEARS to finally get things the way I wanted them. I can do what I want to now, so I'm pleased about that.

You also became increasingly interested in writing, is that harder work that touring or recording?

 Writing is always difficult. It's another world and a skill that only develops over time. Trial and error is the norm, for me anyway. Recording is the fun part, sometimes frustrating but always good. Touring, playing live is the reason I do any of this. It's my life.

You toured the UK during 2004 with Peter Noone, Wayne Fontana and Brian Hyland, and then with the Searchers in the 2009 Solid 60s tour.  Why do you think sixties music has remained so popular?

 That's easy the sixties remain popular because it was an era, a change in everything that was known up until that time. The music is a reflection of that very special time.

The new album is a departure from the style I have been associated with. I can't wait to see how it turns out.