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Guitarist Kevin “Geordie” Walker of Killing Joke Dies at 64
The rock music community is mourning the loss of acclaimed English guitarist Kevin “Geordie” Walker, who passed away on November 26th, 2023 at the age of 64. Walker was best known as a founding member of influential post-punk band Killing Joke.
Early Life and Formative Influences
Born in Newcastle, England in 1958, Walker acquired his “Geordie” nickname from his northeastern accent when his family relocated to Buckinghamshire during his teens. It was there his passion for guitar took hold, as Walker recounted locking himself in his room for hours practicing. Early musical inspirations included Dave Edmunds’ band Love Sculpture and their distinctive cover of “Sabre Dance.”
Killing Joke Co-Founder and Constant Member
In 1979, Walker responded to a musicians wanted ad posted by Killing Joke vocalist Jaz Coleman in London. Though Walker had never been in a band before, the two formed an instant connection that catalyzed Killing Joke’s launch. Walker’s unorthodox guitar style became a pillar of the band’s signature post-punk industrial sound. Outside of a brief split in 2008, Walker remained a constant force in Killing Joke over its 40+ year run.
Acclaim From Rock Luminaries
Walker earned high praise from icons like Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who lauded his “really strong” guitar tone, and My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields for his “monstrous sound” and “effortless playing.” Walker pioneered innovative techniques like detuning his guitar a whole tone lower and using augmented chords to generate an ominous, spine-tingling ambience.
Other Collaborations & Solo Endeavors
Beyond Killing Joke, Walker participated in industrial supergroups Murder, Inc. and The Damage Manual during the 1990s-2000s. He also produced albums for punk rock artists, relocated to Prague, Czech Republic for several years, and worked with Studio Faust Records to mentor up-and-coming musicians.
Influential Guitar Gear & Setup
Walker’s main guitar for decades was a 1952 Gibson ES-295 hollow body once owned by Elvis Presley sideman Scotty Moore. He used heavy 52-gauge strings to enhance resonance when tuned down to D. This beefy tonal foundation combined with stereo amplification gave Walker his famously mammoth sound.
Walker's Lasting Legacy
On November 24th, 2023, Walker suffered a stroke in Prague, where he had resided for over 15 years. He passed away two days later at the age of 64. In addition to anchoring Killing Joke's distinct style, Walker helped inspire countless experimental post-punk, industrial, noise rock acts, and artists of diverse genres with his otherworldly guitar wizardry. Through his body of work and lasting influence, Kevin "Geordie" Walker's memory lives on.
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