RIP Killing Joke Guitarist Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker
Shocking news to hear of the death of Kevin Walker, AKA Geordie. Aged only 64, his demise came down to a stroke.
Like many things from the underground or indie scene, he was beloved by those in the know and resonated much more widely with those he inspired or influenced. The list of guitarists and bands who gravitated to his signature sound is long.
I wrote about Killing Joke a few years ago (see link below) and have been listening since their burst-out song and unlikely hit A Love Like Blood hit my teenage senses and never left. They were epic and compelling and unlike anything else. Through it all, many elements make up the alchemy of Killing Joke; at its heart always are the waves of monster riffs emanating from Geordie’s guitar. Follow the Leaders, Eighties, You’ll Never Get to Me, Requiem, Wardance, and so many sounds. They are huge.
Fortunate, I was to see them live just the once on these far shores. Geordie cut a nonchalant and aloof figure stage left. The odd backing vocal and wry grin. His main thing though was the full-on assault from the Gibson semi-hollow body guitar and amp/speaker stack that produced those astounding riffs and thunderous soundscapes.
