Killing Joke musician Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker has died at the age of 64.
Walker was best known as the guitarist in the influential British rock band, formed in 1978, with Walker joining in 1979 until 1996.
He returned to the band in 2002.
His death was announced by former Killing Joke member Martin Adkins, who shared a video of Walker playing in another band they were both in together – The Damage Manuel.
He wrote simply: ‘Gutted,’ and explained in the comment section that ‘Geordie has passed.’
Adkins also took to Twitter, aka X, where he wrote ‘#GodBless Geordie Walker.’
Later, Killing Joke released an official statement confirming the ‘legendary’ musician had died after suffering a stroke.
Walker died in Prague, where he had lived for several years.
In a message on the band’s official Facebook page, a spokesperson wrote: ‘It is with extreme sadness we confirm that at 6:30am on 26th November 2023 in Prague, Killing Joke’s legendary guitarist Kevin “Geordie” Walker passed away after suffering a stroke, he was surrounded by family.
‘We are devastated. Rest In Peace brother.’
Killing Joke is known to have inspired the likes of Metallica and Nine Inch Nails and Nirvana, with fans paying tribute to the star on Monday.
One Twitter user described Walker as ‘one of the most unique and influential musicians of the modern era,’ saying his work in the band ‘laid the foundation for so many bands.’
Another shared their condolences and called him one of the ‘most natural, intuitive, original guitarists,’ with another agreeing he was author of ‘one of the greatest riffs of all time.’
‘Sad news on Geordie Walker from Killing Joke passing. A great. Incomparable,’ another fan wrote.
Walker joined Killing Joke after answering an advert and went on to appear on every album released by the band.
He had previously lived in the US before moving to Prague in his later years.
In March of this year, Killing Joke performed a sold-out show at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and released new single Full Spectrum Dominance.
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