Wilko Johnson was the driving force behind the great R&B Pub Band Dr Feelgood. Not only was he the main songwriter – doing all the stuff like Roxette, Back in the Night, Don’t let your Daddy know, and She Does it right – but he provided that great guitar and was the showman who created the excitement. He was brilliant.
Nobody did it like Wilko. He strode over the stage like a demented robot with a pudding bowl haircut and a guitar that turned into a machine gun.
The modern day Wilko, with the shaved head, still retains that stage presence despite the fact that its hard to relate to the stick thin man of the past. He still has the goggle eyed dementia and menacing strides.
A few years back he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and, in true Wilko fashion, set off to do a farewell tour. He waved bye bye to us with a Chuck Berry cover and we waved bye bye to one of the most original Rock Stars of all time.
The band weren’t Dr Feelgood – but with Norman Watt-Roy (who has to be the best bassist around) and Dylan Howe 9Superb drummer and son of Steve Howe) they had to rate as an exceptional unit.
The concerts I saw were all brilliant and I managed to get invited backstage to have a chat with them. What a friendly bunch and Wilko was a genial, friendly man – not at all like his stage persona.
Fortunately Wilko had a big op that removed the tumour and had a reprieve. He’s still very much alive and well. Good to see him back!!
Here’s a few pics I took in York
Norman Watt-Roy – ducking, diving and jigging
Wilko doing his thing
