THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

164-The Walker Brothers-The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.

1966-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.01. Brothers by different mothers.

The Walker Brothers were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1964, by Noel Scott Engel, (Scott Walker) (1943-2019) John Maus, (John Walker) (1943-2011) and Gary Leeds, (Gary Walker) they remained active until 1968, but did reform again in 1975, through until their final parting in 1978.

Prior to forming The Walker Brothers all three members had been performing either solo, or with other musicians for sometime. John Maus had been performing as John Walker for quite a while, and it was at his suggestion that the trio decided to become ‘The Walker Brothers,’ It was in late 1964 that Gary Leeds, who had already toured in England, suggested that the bands ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll,’ and ‘Blues’ style would go down well in ‘Swinging London,’ Engel and Maus agreed to an exploratory visit which was financed by Leeds’ stepfather. In some ways this was an unusual move at the time as British bands were having great success in America, which would become known as ‘The British Invasion.’

The Walker Brothers went on to great short time success, with it said that at one point their British fan club, especially with teenage girls, being bigger than that of the Beatles. In total The Walker Brothers released eight studio Albums between 1965-1978, and 20 singles between 1965-1991, including re-issues. In the UK they achieved 10 top 40 singles, of which two made Number 1, the other being their Bacharach and David cover of ‘Make It Easy on Yourself’ in 1965, while in America on Billboard they only charted twice, with this song reaching Number 13, and being their highest charting in their home country. During The Walker Brothers first split, and then again after parting ways for a second time in 1978, all three artists continued recording separately, with Scott Walker achieving the greatest success, and in later years attaining a cult following for his music.

‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’ was written by the legendary songwriting duo of Bob Crewe, (1930-2014) (see also best songs 914-863-739-499-393-284-112 and 83) and Bob Gaudio, (see also best songs 1007-914-863-739-499-393-284 and 112) and was originally recorded by Franki Valli in 1965 as his first single as a solo artist in around a decade, but surprisingly the song flopped when only making Number 128 on the Billboard chart.

In January 1966 The Walker Brothers decided to cover ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’ for their fourth studio Album of the same name. The track was co-produced Johnny Franz, (1922-1977) and Ivor Raymonde, (1926-1990) both were already very experienced music producers, and were often dubbed as the ‘Best British equivalents to ‘Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound.” Johnny Franz produced 10 UK Number 1 singles between 1954-1973, while Raymonde is probably best remembered for co-writing and arranging Dusty Springfield’s debut solo single ‘I Only Want to Be with You,’ which made Number 4 in 1963.

‘The sun ain’t gonna shine anymore, the moon ain’t gonna rise in the sky. The tears are always clouding your eyes, when you’re without love, baby.’