Geordie Walker: influential rock guitarist and member of Killing Joke dies aged 64

The music world is in mourning after it was confirmed that Killing Joke guitarist Geordie Walker had died aged 64.

The post-punk band, which formed in 1979, posted a statement on Instagram which read: "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."

Walker, who was born in County Durham in 1958, joined the band in 1979, with both he and lead singer Jaz Coleman remaining the longest-serving members until current day. The band started to emerge in the early 80s, becoming a huge name in the post-punk scene.

However, it was in-part due to Walker's attention grabbing guitar-playing that the band achieved greater success. The band's reached mainstream success with the release of 'Night Time', their fifth studio album, in 1985.

Killing Joke would go on to influence some of the biggest bands in the world, including Nirvana, Metallica and Nine Inch Nails. Throughout his career, Walker receive personal acclaim from some of the greats of rock music, including Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page who once described the guitarist's sounds as "really strong".