The sad news was confirmed in a statement from his label 4AD. A cause of cause has not been publicly announced.
Born Noel Scott Engel in Hamilton, OH, he was a successful session musician who rose to fame in the popular 1960s pop group the Walker Brothers. It was during his time in that band that he changed his name to Scott Walker.
In addition to working as one-third of the Walker Brothers, he released a series of solo albums in the late '60s and early '70s, most notably his beloved Scott (1967), Scott 2 (1968), Scott 3 (1969) and Scott 4 (1969).
By the mid-'70s, Walker retreated from the spotlight, however, only to later emerge as a more avant-garde music figure, starting with 1983's stellar comeback effort Climate of Hunter. This led Walker to soon take an even more experimental direction, with the songwriter going on to push boundaries with 1995's Tilt, 2006's The Drift and his last proper solo album, 2012's Bish Bosch.
Most recently, Walker scored the Natalie Portman film Vox Lux last year and released a collaborative album with the drone metal band Sunn O))) in 2014.
Walker was examined with the 2006 documentary Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, a film that was executive produced by self-proclaimed Scott Walker fan David Bowie. In addition to interview footage from Bowie himself, the film featured the likes of Brian Eno, Radiohead, Jarvis Cocker, Damon Albarn, Marc Almond, Alison Goldfrapp, Sting and Johnny Marr.
Walker is survived by his partner Beverley, his daughter Lee, and his granddaughter Emmi-Lee.
You can find some tribute posts to Walker below.
So very sad to hear that Scott Walker has passed away, he was a huge influence on Radiohead and myself, showing me how i could use my voice and words. Met him once at Meltdown, such a kind gentle outsider. He will be very missed. https://t.co/v33Ey91hbn
— Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) March 25, 2019
So very sad to hear about Scott Walker.... truly one of the greats.. so unique and a real artist. On my way to work on the first day of recording OK Computer I passed him riding his bike on Chiswick High Street.. and when I got to the studio Thom was holding a copy of Scott 4..
— nigel godrich (@nigelgod) March 25, 2019
When I worked at RAK studios I was lucky enough to spend a few days in the studio with him during the recording of the Tilt album.. I so grateful for that.. what a legend.
— nigel godrich (@nigelgod) March 25, 2019
It's sad to hear of the passing of Scott Walker. A true, lifelong artist - his last 3 records were heavily influential on us and our perspective - Integrity, depth, and an insistence on diving into the unknown. Love to his family and friends.
— LOW (@lowtheband) March 25, 2019
RIP Scott Walker pic.twitter.com/FK699ELnVi
— Brian Eno (@dark_shark) March 25, 2019
Incredibly saddened by the news SCOTT O))). Rest in peace great maestro. It was and honor to meet you and spend a small time and space sharing your creative universe. An unbelievably rich and affirming experience, your courage and passion for the depth of the creative source.
— Stephen F. O'Malley (@IdeologicOrgan) March 25, 2019