Killing Joke guitarist Kevin “Geordie” Walker has died at the age of 64.
Martin Adkins, Walker’s former Killing Joke bandmate, announced his passing on social media. He died after suffering a stroke.
Killing Joke later confirmed Walker’s death on Facebook, stating, “It is with extreme sadness we confirm that at 6:30am on 26th November 2023 in Prague, Killing Joke’s legendary guitarist Kevin “Geordie” Walker passed away after suffering a stroke, he was surrounded by family. We are devastated. Rest In Peace brother.”
Walker was a founding member of the UK post-punk band Killing Joke, alongside frontman Jaz Coleman, bassist/keyboardist Martin “Youth” Glover, and drummer Paul Ferguson. He remained a member of the band until his passing.
With his guitar playing, Walker emphasized rhythm with a focus on the instrument’s lower notes. His playing was lauded by other legendary guitarists including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, who marveled at Walker’s “effortless” abilities and “monstrous sound.”
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Walker first linked up with Coleman after answering an advertisement placed by the singer. He and Coleman were Killer Joke’s only constant members and played on every one of the group’s releases, including their landmark 1980 self-titled debut (which Consequence recently named as one of the top industrial albums in history).
In addition to Killing Joke, Walker was a member of the industrial music supergroups Murder, Inc. and The Damage Manual.
