I was then back in touch with the artist formerly known as John Wilkinson in May 2018 (linked here), celebrating the release of his first LP of new material in three decades, Blow Your Mind.īut what about bandmate Norman’s own health battle? Well, we’ll get to that in good time, this Anglo-Indian master of the bass guitar fretboard having shed light on many career highlights with me ahead of the band’s latest UK tour, their trio completed by Dylan Howe (son of Yes guitar legend Steve Howe), shows at Teatro Barcelo, Madrid Sala Apolo, Barcelona Centro Cultural de Belem, Lisbon and Casa de Musica, Oporto, followed by the first UK dates at Buxton Opera House (February 28), Warrington Parr Hall (Friday, March 1st) and Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion (Saturday, March 2nd), splendid settings all.įollowing Wilko’s miraculous recovery, the original Dr Feelgood guitarist has enjoyed a rousing return to the live arena, including a UK No.1 album with Who legend Roger Daltrey, Going Back Home, a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall to mark his 70th birthday in July 2017, then that acclaimed LP of his own. Julien Temple directed a fantastic documentary about it, and the tale was retold on these pages in August 2016 (linked here). Rock’n’roll and rhythm & blues are certainly here to stay, judging by the outcome of recent health trials and tribulations for both Wilko and Norman. Chances are that you’ll know the story of Wilko’s miraculous return from near-death after a mighty battle with a cancerous tumour. Another day and another musical hero brought to book (or the WonderWeb in this case), as I spend an all-too-quick half-hour in the telephonic company of bass guitar marvel Norman Watt-Roy.īut if you’re okay with that, come with me on this latest internet journey from Bombay to Sala Apolo, Barcelona, o’er the hills and far away … on to Cheltenham Town Hall by April 27th, the last date I see in Norm’s diary for now with guitar legend Wilko Johnson’s band. I should warn you before you get any further that there’s an underlying current of adulation in this here feature/interview. Feelgood would release three more studio albums and their acclaimed 1976 live LP Stupidity before Johnson left the group in 1977 to launch his own Wilko Johnson Band.Watch Out!: The Wilko Johnson band in action, coming to a venue near you (Photo: Leif Laaksonen) Feelgood, who made their mark performing R&B covers on the British pub scene before releasing their debut album Down By the Jetty in 1975. Johnson was a founding member and lead guitarist of Dr. However, following surgery that removed a massive tumor from his body, Johnson declared he was cancer-free and remained musically active until his death. A decade ago, Johnson announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and even released what he believed was his farewell album, 2014’s Going Back Home. RIP Wilko Johnson.”Ī cause of death was not provided. Thank you for respecting the family’s privacy at this very sad time. “He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. “This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died,” Johnson’s Twitter announced Tuesday. Feelgood who was credited with laying the groundwork for the punk movement, has died at the age of 75. Wilko Johnson, the influential guitarist for the British pub rock band Dr.
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