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Killing Joke guitarist Geordie Walker dies aged 64 after stroke
Walker was known for his unique approach to the guitar, which Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine once described as “this effortless playing producing a monstrous sound”.
Image: Jim Dyson / Getty Images
Geordie Walker, founder and guitarist of post-punk band Killing Joke, has died at the age of 64.
News of Walker’s passing was confirmed by the band, who shared that Walker had passed away on the morning of 26 November after suffering a stroke: “He was surrounded by family. We are devastated. Rest in peace brother.”
Born on 18 December 1958, Walker left an indelible mark on the music scene with his unorthodox approach to the guitar and his contributions to the sonic landscape of the ’80s and beyond.
His career with Killing Joke spanned over four decades, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s distinctive sound. His unique guitar style, characterised by aggressive riffs, atmospheric textures, and haunting melodies, became a signature element of the group’s music. Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine once described Walker as having “this effortless playing producing a monstrous sound”.
Killing Joke’s self-titled debut album was released in 1980, and is often regarded as a seminal work in the post-punk genre, showcasing much of Walker’s experimental guitar work. The band would continue to release 14 more albums over the course of its career, including their most recent, 2015’s Pylon.
For most of his career, Walker could be seen performing with a hollow-bodied 1952 Gibson ES-295 electric guitar, an instrument also used by Elvis Presley sideman Scotty Moore.
“When you find something that you express yourself through the best – something that is completely your sound – why would you use anything else?” he told Guitar World in a 2016 interview.
Killing Joke drummer Martin Atkins has mourned the loss of his bandmate with a music video from industrial band The Damage Manual, a supergroup that featured Walker and Atkins.
“Gutted,” Atkins captioned the Facebook post.
Music executive Matt Pinfield also paid tribute to Walker, writing: “His songs and massive riffs as the founding guitarist of Killing Joke, are so loved and influential – covered by everyone from Metallica to Foo Fighters. Jimmy Page was a fan. Kurt Cobain borrowed one of his riffs. He was a gentleman, and we had some great times. We will miss you my old friend.”
Read more tributes below.
“It feels like an axe-blow near the roots”, wrote JRR Tolkien to his daughter Priscilla speaking of the death of C.S….
Posted by Luca Signorelli on Sunday, November 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/JakeRudh/status/1728978384250630213
https://twitter.com/Birmingham_81/status/1728880998715371943
RIP Geordie Walker, one of, if not THE, the most natural, intuitive, original guitarists I've ever seen.
— Billy Gould (@MRGOULD) November 27, 2023
There was a jagged toughness to Geordie Walker's guitar. He, as much as anyone else you care to mention, defined the sound of 80s Alternative Rock. Those three notes at the start of "Love Like Blood" alone opened up a whole world. R.I.P. https://t.co/XwQFugl1Oj
— Simon Price﮷ (@simon_price01) November 26, 2023
What a fucking cool dude.
First saw Killing Joke in 1980, last saw them in 2023
RIP Geordie Walker
Pic: Frank Jenkinson pic.twitter.com/6WAT3bL1zM— Complete Control PR (@pollybirkbeck) November 26, 2023