Jeff Walls of Guadalcanal Diary has died

Guitarist was a familiar name in Atlanta and Athens-based bands
Marietta native Jeff Walls was known for playing in Guadalcanal Diary and The Woggles. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe page.

Marietta native Jeff Walls was known for playing in Guadalcanal Diary and The Woggles. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe page.

Jeff Walls, of ‘80s-era Atlanta college rockers Guadalcanal Diary, has died.

The co-founder, guitarist and songwriter for the band – as well as garage rockers The Woggles, where he was known as Flesh Hammer – passed away Wednesday after battling a rare pulmonary disease.

Walls had been placed in intensive care in April as he awaited the only cure for Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease - a double lung transplant. The disease, defined as a blockage of the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart, usually results in heart failure. A specific cause of death for Walls was not given.

Murray Attaway, Walls' friend since high school and frontman for Guadalcanal Diary, posted on his Facebook page early Wednesday evening: Today at 4:16 pm, surrounded by family, Jeff Walls left us. I have no other words.

His bandmates in the Woggles shared the sad news on Twitter.

In late April, Attaway started a GoFundMe campaign to assist Walls and his family with astronomical medical bills as he awaited the double lung transplant. More than $45,000 was raised.

As well, benefit shows were scheduled for June 7 at The Foundry in Athens and June 23 at The Earl.

ajc.com

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Guadalcanal Diary, with roots in Atlanta and Athens, achieved its most visible success in the mid-‘80s with the albums “Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man,” “Jamboree” and “2x4.” The band broke up and reunited a couple of times since 1989, most recently in 2011 to celebrate their 30th anniversary at Athfest in Athens.

Walls, a Marietta native, once worked at Wuxtry Records in Athens. His death prompted a condolence message from his former co-workers, who noted, "His spirit will live on in the music."