26 November 2023 , 22:06
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Rock band Killing Joke's guitarist Kevin Geordie Walker has died aged 64.
News of the rock star's death has been shared this evening on former Killing Joke drummer Martin Adkins’ Facebook page. He posted a clip of The Damage Manuel’s ‘Laugh Track’ – a supergroup of which they were also both a part of. The caption read: “Gutted”. Martin confirmed the sad news in the comment section as he wrote: "Geordie has passed."
The drummer also took to X - formerly Twitter - where he posted a message reading: "#GodBless Geordie Walker”. Killing Joke are yet to release a statement and no cause of death has been released. The guitarist was best known for his work with the post-punk group. He received much acclaim from music greats, including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields. Shields once described Walker as having “this effortless playing producing a monstrous sound.”
Kevin Geordie Walker was an original member of the rock bandKevin was also a founding member of the band after he answered an advert from bandmate Jay Coleman in Melody Maker. He was also a member of supergroups The Damage Manuel and Murder, Inc. The rock star appeared on all of Killing Joke's albums over the years.
He lived in the US, before moving to Prague. It is thought he died in the Czech Republic capital. Fans have paid tribute to Walker on social media following the heartbreaking news. One fan said: "RIP Geordie Walker, guitarist with Killing Joke. Terribly sad news." Another added: "RIP Geordie Walker one of the best guitarists of my generation."
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Someone else commented: "RIP Geordie Walker. As Simon Price put it 'Those three notes at the start of "Love Like Blood" alone opened up a whole world.'" A fourth wrote: "RIP to Geordie Walker from Killing Joke. Huge influence on my love of guitar. Into the Blinding Light was my attempt to get some Geordie into our music. Massive inspiration for our No Devotion boys as well. Killing Joke changed music. Geordie forever."
Another fan said: "Very sad news that Geordie Walker passed away last night at 64. His songs+massive riffs as guitarist of Killing Joke, are so influential-covered by everyone from Metallica to Foo Fighters. Jimmy Page+Kurt Cobain were fans. We had some great times. We will miss you my old friend." As someone else recalled: "Sad news about the passing of Geordie Walker @Killingjokeband guitarist. I saw them 1st time in 1979 and a few more times after that, he had a distinctive and unforgettable style of playing. Our thoughts are with his family, band members and friends. RIP."
Killing Joke were formed in Cheltenham back in 1978 by Geordie, Jay Coleman, Paul Ferguson and Youth. They released their first self-titled album in 1980 and reached main-stream success with their 1985 record Night Time. Huge rock bands including Metallica, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden have cited Killing Joke as influences.
The band released a single titled Full Spectrum Dominance earlier this year following their sold-out show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.