In particular, Brilleaux objected to Johnson’s song Paradise, in which the songwriter, who had married Irene Knight when they were both teenagers, admitted that “I love two girls, I ain’t ashamed”. However, the album Sneakin’ Suspicion (1977) proved to be Johnson’s swansong with the band, following acrimonious arguments during its recording. To their own amazement, Dr Feelgood had become one of the biggest bands in Britain. Johnson was adamant that the recording should sound raw and live and should not be tarted up in post- production, a stance that paid off when it rocketed to No 1. Stupidity (1976) was a mixture of their own songs and cover versions, not least Leiber & Stoller’s Riot in Cell Block No 9, which had become the vehicle for a trick by Johnson of mock-machine-gunning the audience with his guitar. Since the stage was the natural home for the hard-gigging Feelgoods, it made sense for the next album to be a live recording. Wilko Johnson in 2012 on Canvey Island, in the Thames estuary in Essex, where he grew up. The album gave Dr Feelgood their first chart position (No 17), and proved influential on New York musicians such as Richard Hell, the Ramones and Blondie. One of Johnson’s was their third single, Back in the Night, a perennial favourite in live shows. They followed it later that year with Malpractice, which featured several blues and R&B non-originals alongside another batch of Johnson’s tunes. ![]() Dr Feelgood released their debut album, Down By the Jetty, in 1975, containing nine of Johnson’s songs, including the singles Roxette and She Does It Right, neither of which got into the charts. It was a refreshing antidote to the somnolent progressive rock of the era. ![]() It was their partnership that drove the band to huge success in Britain just before the arrival of punk.ĭr Feelgood launched themselves on the back of the “pub rock” vogue, a back-to-basics mix of sweaty rock and rhythm & blues typified by the likes of Ducks Deluxe and Ian Dury’s band Kilburn and the High Roads. Johnson said he “felt like a lot of the power I had in whatever I was doing was radiating from him”. Photo courtesy of Wilko a solid destination site for more information on this much loved guitarist.He developed a tight stage rapport with the Feelgoods’ vocalist Lee Brilleaux, who was helpfully signposted by his contrasting white – or once white, at least – suit. Tickets go on sale on Monday, January 21 via For the second KOKO gig, tickets go on sale on Tuesday 22 January at 10am. Since parting ways with Dr Feelgood in 1977 Wilko has continued to play in a variety of groups and expressing his unique self to fans around the world. ![]() “Wilko wishes to offer his sincere thanks for all the support he has had over his long career, from those who have worked with him to, above all, those devoted fans and admirers who have attended his live gigs, bought his recordings and generally made his life such an extraordinarily full and eventful experience. His manager Roy Hoy has issued this statement: Renowned for his angular guitar playing, frenetic stage presence, and being an inspiration for a variety of seminal post-punk bands he’s a man who lives the celebration of his life.Ī poignant punk, he’s refusing chemotherapy treatment and is embarking on a trip to Japan followed by a farewell UK tour. Legendary Guitarist Wilko Johnson of Dr Feelgood has been diagnosed with Cancer of the Pancreas.
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