![]() Anton Newcombe of the Brian Jonestown Massacre wrote that Johnson “fought the good fight, and had a damn good run. On Twitter, musicians shared their admiration for Johnson and his work. Outside of music, Johnson released one book – his 2012 autobiography Looking Back at Me, co-written with Zoë Howe – and appeared as a guest star on Game of Thrones playing Ser Ilyn Payne, a mute executioner. Shortly afterwards, he began to focus on the Wilko Johnson Band, his longest-running musical project, with whom he would go on to release seven albums over the next three decades, including the 1981 debut Ice on the Motorway, 1988’s Barbed Wire Blues and, most recently, 2018’s Blow Your Mind. Photograph: HBOĪfter leaving Dr Feelgood, Johnson formed Solid Senders, who released one album on Virgin in 1978, and briefly joined Ian Dury’s outfit the Blockheads, performing on their 1980 album Laughter. Wilko Johnson as Ser Ilyn Payne in Game of Thrones. Johnson remained with Dr Feelgood for their first four albums, the latter three of which charted in the top 20 of the UK albums chart, before inter-band conflict led him to part ways with the group. The band went on to become mainstays of the British pub rock scene, and Johnson quickly became known for his distinctive style of guitar playing, which utilised fingerpicking in order to play riffs or solos while playing rhythm, as well as his flamboyant performances, which often featured him raising his guitar to his shoulders like a gun.ĭr Feelgood’s intense, brutal take on R&B was a major influence on the British punk music that would emerge in the 70s and 80s. ![]() He began playing guitar as a teenager, but his career began in earnest in 1971, when he formed Dr Feelgood with singer Lee Brilleaux, bass player John B Sparks, and drummer John Martin. Johnson was born John Peter Wilkinson in Canvey Island, Essex, in 1947. His presence will be felt for many more years.” “When I interviewed him a few years ago, he was bright, thoughtful and an astonishing story teller. “His unique, wired playing and stage presence thrilled and inspired many guitarists, myself included,” he tweeted. Photograph: Ian Dickson/Rex/ShutterstockĪlex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand was among those to pay tribute to Johnson. Then, in early 2013, he revealed he had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, but announced a year later that he had been declared 'cancer free', going on to praise the doctors for "curing" him after an 11 hour operation to remove a tumour.Ī documentary came out in 2015 titled 'The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson', detailing his cancer scare and long-time collaborator Roger Daltrey of The Who.Dr Feelgood … Wilko Johnson with Lee Brilleaux and John B Sparks. Later on, he found fame again on television when he was cast as the mute executioner Ser Ilyn Payne in the globally-renowned HBO series Game of Thrones. Wilko was known for his 'manically intense' stage presence, coupling his distinctive fingerstyle playing with spasmodic dancing - a far cry from the stage presence of decades previous.Īfter their formation in 1971, and number one 1976 live LP 'Stupidity', Johnson left, then playing with The Blockheads and his solo project - The Wilko Johnson Band. The punk legend, who studied English Language and Literature at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, had a brief stint as an English teacher before finding success in the 1970s with Dr Feelgood. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy at this very sad time. "He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. READ MORE: Some of most deprived parts of Britain are in Devon It read: "This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died. Musician and actor Wilko Johnson has passed away at home at the age of 75, it has been announced.Ī statement was posted on his band's Twitter page informing of the Dr Feelgood guitarist's death.
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