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“When the going got tough and the money ran out, others left — you never” Killing Joke’s Jaz Coleman pens heartfelt tribute to guitarist Geordie Walker
“All of us who have ever loved KJ owe so much to you.”
Image: Chiaki Nozu / Getty Images
Killing Joke’s Jaz Coleman has paid tribute to the band’s founding guitarist Geordie Walker, who passed away last month after suffering a stroke.
In a heartfelt message posted to his social media pages, Coleman expressed his grief at Walker’s passing and thanked the late musician for sticking by him and the band through thick and thin.
“My dearest Geordie, for days I have been staring at the blank paper in front of me unable to write anything,” the post began. “How does one begin to convey this immeasurable sadness within? Or reduce the last 45 years into a few paragraphs? The epic journey we have shared together – the hardships and the victories, thousands of concerts, the multiple lives we have experienced together in this short life across the world. None of it would have been possible without your unfaltering resolve.”
“When the going got tough and the money ran out, others left – you never. Over four and a half decades the only constant witness was you. The only individual to have attended every single KJ concert and recording since our genesis.”
“All of us who have ever loved KJ owe so much to you. I am overwhelmed by grief; nothing can fill the terrible void you have left for you were the other part of me. I spent more of my life with you than my own blood brother, or any other human being for that matter. And, although in recent years we were separated by my sobriety, you always knew I was never far away from you, and you could rely on me if you needed me.”
Coleman continued: “I wish I could’ve been by your side in your final hours to give you comfort. Nevertheless, I take solace that your dad Ron, Terry Cox, [ex-Killing Joke bassist Paul] Raven, and Alan Glover were all waiting for you on the other side, and that you will wait for me when my time comes. We found each other before, and we will do so again.”
“I want you to know how privileged I feel to have been the first person you met in London back in the seventies, and one of the last people to have an in-depth conversation with you before your parting. I know of your hopes, musical aspirations, and remaining goals for KJ – radical changes which you were both passionate and empathetic about. I know you will whisper in my ear and guide me in all my future endeavours. Thy will be done.”
“Geordie, my beloved brother, you live in my heart for evermore. I shall never recover from your passing. Your work will shine on ’til the end of time,” the post concluded.
“Your loyal and ever-loving brother. Jaz #jazcolemanofficial #killingjoke #geordiewalker”