Remembering Hilary Walker

Very sad news today to learn of the death of Hilary Walker, via a post by Kate on her official site. Hilary was Kate’s one-time PA and representative and her de facto business manager for two decades. Highly respected in the music industry, Hilary was constantly seen accompanying Kate from the very beginning of her career, her contribution in that time period was enormous. We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Formerly the head of promotions and the international division at EMI, she left the company to work for Kate full time in 1978. Hilary can be seen with Kate in Japan from the BBC report on the 1978 trip, speaking about Kate’s first show of the 1979 tour on the BBC Nationwide special and even joining Kate on the red carpet at the 2001 Q Awards in London. And of course we remember the cherished “Hil” being fondly thanked in the liner notes of so many of Kate’s albums – a guiding force. Hilary’s work with Kate over those busy years was very much largely unseen by fans, behind the scenes, but fans have been fondly recalling meeting Hilary at signings and other events, and recalling how helpful and kind she always was.

On Kate’s official site, Kate today posted the below photograph of her friend and colleague and left this message, remembering her.

Hilary was a beautiful person, full of life and much loved.

We had many adventures and went all over the world together.
She was a wonderful companion, especially as she absolutely adored to travel.
We started to work together not long after my first album was released.
Hilary was a really important part of my work and my life for nearly twenty years.
She was my trusted right hand and my very dear friend.

Hilary went on to travel the world again with her devoted husband, Peter.
She was incredibly happy from the minute she met Peter, and never looked back.

We’re all going to miss her terribly.
Thank you so much, dearest Hil, for always being there, for being such fun.
Kate