Wilko Johnson, the guitarist for Dr Feelgood and a formative influence on the British punk movement, has died aged 75. A statement posted to his official social media accounts said he died at home on 21 November.
Johnson was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer in 2013 and elected not to receive chemotherapy. That year, he was told he had nine to 10 months left to live.
Oh that's sad, I thought/hoped he'd somehow been misdiagnosed
Re: Wilko Johnson gooooooooooooooooooooooooone!!!
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:06 pm
by Lobby
Tichtheid wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 12:59 pm
Oh that's sad, I thought/hoped he'd somehow been misdiagnosed
He was misdiagnosed. We don’t know the cause of death but he was declared cancer-free in 2014. From the BBC:
“Ten years ago he survived what was initially diagnosed as a terminal case of pancreatic cancer.
The musician refused chemotherapy to embark on a farewell tour. "The decision was quite easy - chemotherapy could do no more than extend my life for a relatively short period and I thought I'd just rather enjoy the health that was left to me," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
However, later tests discovered that the guitarist's pancreatic cancer was in fact a rare and less aggressive neuroendocrine tumour. He underwent a radical, 11-hour operation that removed his pancreas, spleen and parts of his stomach and intestines, and was declared cancer-free in 2014.”
Sorry to see that he’s gone, but he certainly made the most of the extra 10 years he was given.
Re: Wilko Johnson gooooooooooooooooooooooooone!!!
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 2:48 pm
by Kawazaki
That's sad, one of my favourite guitarists. His funky chicken style was very much his own. I'm a big fan of pub rock which had a huge, and largely unheralded influence on punk and new wave music.
Listen to Roxette and you can hear The Stranglers, The Clash, The Jam, Talking Heads etc etc.
Re: Wilko Johnson gooooooooooooooooooooooooone!!!
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:18 pm
by SaintK
Dr Feelgood., Kursaal Flyers and Eddie and the Hot Rods all out of South East Essex.
My personal favourite.. Think ythis was just before Wilko joined Ian Dury and the Blockheads
[media] [/media]
Re: Wilko Johnson gooooooooooooooooooooooooone!!!
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:12 pm
by Dinsdale Piranha
SaintK wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:18 pm
Dr Feelgood., Kursaal Flyers and Eddie and the Hot Rods all out of South East Essex.
My personal favourite.. Think ythis was just before Wilko joined Ian Dury and the Blockheads
[media] [/media]
It was after Wilko had left the band though.
If you haven't watched 'Oil City Confidential' I can highly recommend it.
A mate who is an East End/Essex boy and saw them in pubs in the 70s swears that Dr Feelgood were the best live band he's ever seen.
SaintK wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:18 pm
Dr Feelgood., Kursaal Flyers and Eddie and the Hot Rods all out of South East Essex.
My personal favourite.. Think ythis was just before Wilko joined Ian Dury and the Blockheads
[media] [/media]
It was after Wilko had left the band though.
If you haven't watched 'Oil City Confidential' I can highly recommend it.
A mate who is an East End/Essex boy and saw them in pubs in the 70s swears that Dr Feelgood were the best live band he's ever seen.
I don't know where you live but if you're ever in Essex then keep an eye on where Scam69 are playing. They're a terrific cover band and the lead guitarist is very good. They've been doing 2-3 gigs a week for at least 20 years, they really are well grooved. They play lots of Dr Feelgood, 70s punk and New Wave. The nearest thing you'll see to it was like back then, proper pub rockers. They usually play a great version of Jilted John as well which is great comedy.