Tag: Wilko Johnson
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Wilko Johnson Cheerfully Discusses Death, Depression, Cancer….and Canvey Island
Wilko Johnson was at Rough Trade East last night in conversation with author Zoë Howe to discuss his new book “Don’t You Leave Me Here”. The former Dr Feelgood guitarist has written about his extraordinary life: chart topping success, the argument that led to the break up of the band, his time with Ian Dury…
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Lee Brilleaux: Rock n Roll Gentleman
January 1976. Dr Feelgood are tearing up venues across the UK. “Malpractice”, their second album has reached the top twenty. Eighteen months earlier they were still playing two shows a night because they needed the money. But lead singer Lee Brilleaux can’t do things in half measures. The band might think about preserving their energy…
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The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson: A New Film By Julien Temple
“We were on the up and up…. …and then…. ….Cancer. “ Wilko Johnson, at last night’s premiere of “The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson” “The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson” is a new documentary, directed by Julien Temple, which tells the extraordinary story of the last three years in the life of former Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko…
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The Who and Wilko Johnson: Live at The Royal Albert Hall
The Teenage Cancer Trust concerts have become a much loved staple of London’s live scene for over a decade. A week long series of gigs, including one comedy night, curated by Roger Daltrey, all to raise money for an organisation that helps teenagers who have been diagnosed with cancer. The cause is…
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Help Launch Zoe Howe’s New Book About Lee Brilleaux!
Lee Brilleaux was the charismatic singer of Dr Feelgood. An Alpha Male and hard drinking front man, backed by a tight band, including the bug-eyed mop-topped Wilko Johnson. Wilko Johnson and Lee Brilleaux parted company at the height of their success, having blazed a trail for punk. It was over forty years ago since they released their…
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Wilko Johnson Attends Signing For LP with Roger Daltrey: Going Back Home
Fourteen months have passed since Wilko Johnson’s public announcement of his diagnosis of terminal cancer of the pancreas. The former Dr Feelgood guitarist and current National Treasure expected the cancer would claim him in October last year, but he’s nothing if not a fighter. Even though it has been over a year since he performed…
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Every Record Tells A Story Photos of 2013
“People take pictures of the summer / Just in case someone thought they had missed it / And to prove that it really existed…” Ray Davies: “People Take Pictures Of Each Other” As 2014 begins, I thought it would be good to look back at 2013 through the pictures I took at various gigs. It…
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Alison Moyet – Live At Southend Cliff’s Pavillion
It was something of a homecoming for Alison Moyet last night as the Billericay-born and Basildon-schooled vocalist played nearby Southend to promote her 2013 album The Minutes. The last time I saw Moyet she briefly joined another Essex dweller Wilko Johnson and his band onstage for a joyous encore at the latter’s “farewell” concerts. This…
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New Dr Feelgood Exhibition Hits Canvey Island
Whilst we are on the subject of Dr Feelgood, (as we were yesterday) let’s also mention an exhibition that is currently running on Canvey Island that has been curated by the band’s manager Chris Fenwick. The exhibition is the finishing post to an event to be held on Weds 26th June, when Chris Fenwick will…
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Radio What’s New? Wilko Johnson Interview On BBC Radio 6 Music
Radio, what’s new? Someone still loves you… From the local stations with their more diverse (and internet-accessible) evening programmes (see Frome FM’s monthly evening show by Push – a regular visitor here), to Internet only stations such as (Essex-based) Ship Full Of Bombs, there’s plenty of great music out there. “Invisible airwaves crackle with life…bearing…
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Wilko Johnson Farewell Tour – Live At Koko
Wilko Johnson – the former Dr Feelgood guitarist – announced in January this year that he had terminal cancer, and that he wouldn’t be undergoing chemotherapy to extend his life a little. He said he felt “vividly alive”, and that he would be playing a few “farewell” shows, if his health would allow, and announced…
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Wilko Johnson Book Launch: How Dr Feelgood Were Inspired by a Disastrous MC5 Wembley Appearance
Wilko Johnson, former lead guitarist of Canvey Island‘s finest export Dr Feelgood, was at Rough Trade East last night to launch his new autobiography alongside co-author Zoe Howe, a local Leigh on Sea resident. Wilko spoke eloquently about his life in front of a packed crowd and was then joined by his band, featuring former Blockhead…