Photo by Daniel DeSlover (ZUMA Wire)

Over the weekend, the sad news was confirmed that founding Killing Joke guitarist Kevin 'Geordie' Walker had passed in Prague. Walker was just weeks away from his 65 birthday and had suffered a stroke. 

Walker's legacy is one that will be forever linked to seminal post-punk outfit Killing Joke. He was among the founding members and would go onto record 15 studio albums with the band's first stretch lasting from the late seventies to the mid-90s before going on hiatus. 

Killing Joke would reform in the early 2000s and go onto release some five albums during the second phase of their tenure, still actively touring into the present day. 

Offering high praise of their lifelong friend and collaborator, the remaining members of Killing Joke paid homage to Walker with their first public statements. 

JAZ: “I spoke to Geordie last week. He began our hour-long conversation with "there he is," and apart from a flu, he was in fine spirits and looking forward to the future with optimism. We reincarnated before and we will reincarnate again. I never left his side in 44 years. Tears”

YOUTH: "He is now flying high with The Valkyries, on his way to the halls of Valhalla. He defined a generation or three with his genius. We are all honoured to have served with him and shared his vision of what the band could be."

 PAUL FERGUSON: "We are devastated by the news of our brother’s sudden passing. Our collective look forwards have come to naught and the maestro strummed his last glorious chords. I was honoured to play in the band with him, a rare talent and wit who suffered no fools. Rest In Peace Geords."

Catch the band's full set from their 2022 appearance at Bloodstock Open Air below.