Died On This Date (November 26, 2023) Geordie Walker / Killing Joke Guitarist
themusicsover Kevin “Geordie” Walker
December 18, 1958 – November 26, 2023
As originally reported by Ben Beaumont-Thomas in The Guardian, Kevin “Geordie” Walker, the influential guitarist of industrial rock band Killing Joke, whose distinctive and textured guitar tones resonated across generations of musicians, passed away at the age of 64, having succumbed to a stroke.
Walker’s guitar style was a complex tapestry that bridged the shoegaze movement with the urgency of punk, the melodic sensibilities of pop, and the weight of heavy metal. Alongside frontman Jaz Coleman, he stood as the only constant member of Killing Joke since its inception in 1978.
Born in County Durham in 1958 and raised in Buckinghamshire, where he earned the affectionate nickname “Geordie,” Walker responded to Coleman’s advertisement in the music press, proclaiming himself as the greatest guitarist despite having only played in his mother’s bedroom. Coleman recalled their first meeting, noting, “When he did play, it was like a fire from heaven.”
The band’s self-titled debut album, released in 1980, garnered critical acclaim and cracked the UK Top 40. Following a period in Iceland, where they dabbled in unconventional activities, including hashish dealing, Walker and Coleman returned to London, refining their sound and achieving commercial success with the 1985 album Night Time, featuring the hit single “Love Like Blood.”
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