The last remaining Walker Brothers star has tragically died aged 83 after suffering a stroke shortly before Christmas.
A family friend told The Sun that the star passed away “peacefully” on March 1 in Essex.
A friend of the family said on behalf of his wife: “I’m sorry to confirm that he passed away peacefully on Sunday 1 March after suffering a stroke not long before Christmas.”
Gary was recruited to The Standells in 1962 and toured with them for two years.
He met the other two Walker Brothers, John Walker (John Maus) and Scott Walker (Scott Engel) in 1964.
They persuaded the drummer and vocalist to join their band and change his stage name to Walker.
Born in Glendale, California, Gary performed in England during the early 1960’s as PJ Proby’s drummer.
He was credited with bringing Scott and John back to England with him to play in the UK.
The Walker Brothers shot to fame in the ’60s with No 1 hits “Make It Easy On Yourself” and “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore”.
The band disbanded in 1968 after tours in the UK and Japan, announcing they wanted to pursue individual careers.
They briefly reunited in the 1970s, leading to a Top Ten chart return with “No Regrets”.
The group also performed two union performances in 1982 and 1991.
As a solo artist, Gary also released two singles – “You Don’t Love Me and “Twinkie-Lee” – in 1966 at the peak of the group’s success.
Gary went on to form his own group, Gary Walker and the Rain, which was popular in Japan.
Teaming up with Joey Molland – later of Badfinger – the British-American pop-rock band was active between 1967 and 1969.
Gary received three standing ovations when he appeared onstage for the first time in 27 years in 2005, at the Rock Hotel in Hastings with fellow Walker Brother John.
The drummer was the last surviving member of The Walker Brothers.
He remained close with John and Scott until they each passed away in 2011 and 2019.
Gary is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara, son Michael, daughter-in-law Louise and baby grandson Robert.
