60s Pop Singer Gary Walker Dies at 83 After Stroke

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Gary Leeds, known professionally as Gary Walker, was the drummer and vocalist for both The Standells and The Walker Brothers. He died on March 1, 2026 at the age of 83 after suffering a stroke shortly before Christmas. Walker was the last surviving member of The Walker Brothers, the pop group best known for their 1966 hit cover of "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)".

Why it matters

The Walker Brothers were a prominent 1960s pop group, known for their lush vocal harmonies and cover songs that became hits. Gary Walker's passing marks the end of an era for the band, which reunited several times over the decades before the deaths of his bandmates John Walker in 2011 and Scott Walker in 2019.

The details

Born Gary Leeds in Glendale, California in 1942, the musician's career began when he joined The Standells as their drummer and vocalist in 1962. In 1964, he met John Walker and Scott Walker and joined their band, The Walker Brothers, adopting the stage name Gary Walker. The group is best known for their 1966 cover of "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)", which became a hit. After the group disbanded in 1967, Gary Walker formed his own band called Gary Walker and the Rain. He also released several solo singles over the years.

• Gary Leeds was born in March 1942 in Glendale, California.
• He joined The Standells as their drummer and vocalist in 1962.
• In 1964, he joined The Walker Brothers and adopted the stage name Gary Walker.
• The Walker Brothers released their hit cover of "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" in 1966.
• Gary Walker died on March 1, 2026 after suffering a stroke shortly before Christmas.