Killing Joke guitarist Geordie Walker has died aged 64.
The band confirmed the news on Sunday with a statement expressing their sadness at the loss of the talented rocker.
In a social media post, they said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm that legendary Killing Joke guitarist Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker passed away on November 26, 2023 at 6:30 a.m. in Prague surrounded by his family died from a stroke.” .
“We are devastated. Rest in peace brother.’
Geordie joined the group in 1979 and was the only permanent member alongside Jaz Coleman. The current line-up includes Jaz, Paul Ferguson and Youth.
RIP: Killing Joke guitarist Geordie Walker has died aged 64 (pictured 2019)
Known for his unique playing style, he tuned his guitar a full tone lower, once explaining, “It suits the resonance and volume of the thing, and you can use heavier strings.” I have 58s below. If I play an E chord, it’s basically D.”
The acclaimed guitarist was also active in industry groups The Damage Manual and Murder, Inc.
With Killing Joke, which also included Paul Ferguson and Youth, he recorded 15 studio albums, most recently “Pylon” from 2015.
Geordie joined the group in 1979 after responding to an advert he saw in Melody Maker that said: “Want to be part of Killing Joke?” We’re serious, man.
“Total exploitation, total publicity, total anonymity.” Bass and lead wanted.’
He previously said of his work in the rock band: “I liked the sound of it, it looked pretty serious and fanatical, I don’t know what it was but it clicked for me.”
“So I went down to see this guy.” [Jaz] and immediately started arguing with him about his taste in music and whatever, and I kept in touch and kept pestering her for some reason.
“I think it was the intensity of the argument that I liked.”
Band: Geordie and Jaz Coleman (right) were the only permanent members of Killing Joke (pictured with Paul Ferguson)
Killing Joke released its self-titled debut album in 1980 and has released 15 additional albums since then.
In March last year the band released a new EP, Lord Of Chaos, their first new material in seven years.
Geordie’s friend Luca Signorelli was the first to break the news and wrote a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, sharing: “I would like to remember that for 40 years Geordie was the closest friend and most important person I have ever had. “ outside of my family.
“I met Geordie in 1983 through completely coincidental circumstances. At the time he was dating an Italian woman. He had come to visit her, but his accommodation was, shall we say, “not ideal.” He needed a place to stay overnight. Someone knew I had one. So a meeting was arranged in the basement of a small suburban house north of Turin.
“Of course I knew what Killing Joke was.” In fact, I was a big fan. Driving back to Turin, in a strange February sunset light that I’ll never forget, I did the normal thing and asked him, “What’s that one?” Lyrics from ‘Unspeakable’ (a song from their second LP that I really liked)?”
Roots: Geordie joined the group in 1979 after responding to an advert he saw in Melody Maker (pictured: Paul Raven, Jaz, Kevin Walker, Paul Ferguson and Geordie)
Luca added: “It was impossible not to get along with him.” He was charming, polite and very funny. The language barrier wasn’t a problem – with lots of spontaneous translations and some laborious sign language, Geordie was able to make himself understood anywhere, at any time.
“So began a friendship that lasted for 40 years, no matter what, no matter how, no matter when. We never argued, not once. Geordie was always there when he was needed. He called me on my birthday no matter what part of the world he was in.
“When I turned 30 he flew to Italy just to be with me on my birthday because he knew it was a difficult time for me. As with all truly important people in life, it’s not the time you spend together that matters, but the quality.
“I can’t remember a moment when Geordie was around that was unpleasant or boring. Geordie had a reputation for being aggressive and sometimes short with people who tried to approach him, but in reality he didn’t want to waste his time on people he didn’t like.
Sad news: The band confirmed the news on Sunday with a statement expressing their sadness over the loss of the talented rocker
Warm appreciation: Geordie’s friend Luca Signorelli was the first to break the news
Tribute: The band’s drummer, Martin Adkins, later paid tribute by releasing a clip of their supergroup, which they were both a part of
“And ‘liking’ or ‘disliking’ was entirely a matter of instinct for Geordie. “It was like a switch that was either on or off.”
The band’s drummer, Martin Atkins, later paid tribute by releasing a clip of their supergroup, of which they were both also members.
Alongside the video for “The Damage Manuel’s Laugh Track,” Martin shared, “Excepted,” and later confirmed in the comments, “Geordie has passed away.”
Martin later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the same video with the caption “#GodBless Geordie Walker.”