wilko johnson farewell tour

Wilko Johnson announces farewell tour

Guitarist confirms four dates in March

Wilko Johnson, the former guitarist with Dr Feelgood who was recently diagnosed with terminalcancer of the pancreas, has announced a four date farewell tour, to take place in March.

The 65 year old Johnson, who rose to prominence as the Telecaster-toting guitarist with seminal pub rockers Dr Feelgood, has decided not to undergo chemotherapy. "The four UK dates represent an opportunity for Wilko to express his sincere thanks to his fans for all the support he has had over his long career," commented his manager Robert Hoy.

The magnificent Dr Feelgood, with Wilko in full flight

The dates for the tour are as follows:

London Koko (March 6)

Bilston Robin 2 (March 7)

Holmfirth Picturedrome (March 8)

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.

Glasgow o2 ABC (March 9)

Tickets will go on sale from Monday 21 January, and can be purchased from the box office on 0844 478 0898, or via The Gig Cartel .

“This bass is a reflection of everything I love about playing”: Fender unveils limited edition Blu DeTiger Player Plus Jazz Bass in Sky Burst Sparkle

“This machine sues fascists”: It’s The White Stripes vs Donald Trump

“Sounds every bit like a vintage string machine, and far more besides”: GForce Software VSM IV review

Most Popular

• Manage Account

Wilko Johnson, Former Dr. Feelgood Guitarist, Dies at 75

Johnson's signature fingerpicking style was a signature of the English blues rock band's sound.

By Gil Kaufman

Gil Kaufman

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on Pinterest
• + additional share options added
• Share on Reddit
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Whats App
• Send an Email
• Print this article
• Post a Comment
• Share on Tumblr

Clip of Lil Wayne Expressing Interest in Headlining 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Resurfaces After…

See latest videos, charts and news

Dr. Feelgood

Wilko johnson, trending on billboard.

After cancelling a show last minute in Nov. 2012 due to illness, Johnson shared that he was diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer in Jan. 2013, opting to skip chemotherapy after doctors told him he had less than a year to live. He released what was deemed his “final” album Going Back Home with the Who’s Roger Daltrey in March 2014 and then revealed that he had been misdiagnosed and was cancer-free later that year after undergoing a lengthy surgery to remove a massive tumor in his abdomen.

Among those paying tribute were fellow British rocker Billy Bragg, who said that Johnson was a “precursor of punk. His guitar playing was angry and angular, but his presence – twitchy, confrontational, out of control – was something we’d never beheld before in UK pop. Rotten, Strummer and Weller learned a lot from his edgy demeanour. He does it right RIP.” Blondie guitarist Chris Stein also weighed in, writing, “I frequently remind people how Dr Feelgood was an influence on the early New York and CBGBs music scene. Great guitarist and performer.”

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page also paid homage to the player whose unique style was beloved among his fellow six-stringers. “I’m sad to hear today of the passing of Wilko Johnson, the Dr Feelgood guitarist and singer/songwriter. I saw Wilko perform at Koko in Camden in May 2013 and the atmosphere was electric. This show was originally billed as his farewell tour, but, thankfully, he continued performing and thrilling crowds until recently. I really admired him and we’ll all miss him. RIP Wilko.”

Johnson continued playing shows until just weeks before his passing and at press time no cause of death had been revealed.

This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died. He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson. (Image: Leif Laaksonen) pic.twitter.com/1cRqyi9b9X — Wilko Johnson (@wilkojohnson) November 23, 2022

I’m sad to hear today of the passing of Wilko Johnson, the Dr Feelgood guitarist and singer/songwriter. I saw Wilko perform at Koko in Camden in May 2013 and the atmosphere was electric. This show was originally billed as his farewell tour pic.twitter.com/M1sQIEe4mm — Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) November 23, 2022

Wilko Johnson was a precursor of punk. His guitar playing was angry and angular, but his presence – twitchy, confrontational, out of control – was something we'd never beheld before in UK pop. Rotten, Strummer and Weller learned a lot from his edgy demeanour. He does it right RIP pic.twitter.com/ukoJ69r41h — Billy Bragg (@billybragg) November 23, 2022

RIP @wilkojohnson I frequently remind people how Dr Feelgood was an influence on the early New York and CBGBs music scene. Great guitarist and performer pic.twitter.com/ZifSnoPA7U — Cʜʀɪs Sᴛᴇɪɴ (@chrissteinplays) November 23, 2022

Very sad to hear Wilko Johnson has died. His unique, wired playing & stage presence thrilled & inspired many guitarists, myself included. When I interviewed him a few years ago, he was bright, thoughtful & an astonishing story teller. His presence will be felt for many more years pic.twitter.com/x6ZzQWojXp — Alex Kapranos (@alkapranos) November 23, 2022

Goodbye Wilko and thank you. #wilkoJohnson pic.twitter.com/8gvHpYhWLW — Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) November 23, 2022

Throwback Wednesday: For obvious sad reasons, a day early this week. Following today’s awful news of the passing of the legendary RnB guitar hero Wilko Johnson, here he is with his old friend & flatmate JJ a few years ago. Fly straight Wilko, fond adieu RIP x pic.twitter.com/bKmbxNhmuM — The Stranglers (Official) (@StranglersSite) November 23, 2022

Rest in Power Mr Wilko Johnson – you fought the good fight, and had a damn good run. when they said it was over, you came back stronger. cheers mate 🍻 pic.twitter.com/3vXuT8ixtk — anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) November 23, 2022

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about?

Get in the know on.

Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

Charts expand charts menu.

• Billboard Hot 100™
• Billboard 200™
• Hits Of The World™
• TikTok Billboard Top 50
• Songs Of The Summer
• Song Breaker
• Year-End Charts
• Decade-End Charts

Music Expand music menu

• R&B/Hip-Hop

Videos Expand videos menu

Culture expand culture menu, media expand media menu, business expand business menu.

• Business News
• Record Labels
• View All Pro

Pro Tools Expand pro-tools menu

• Songwriters & Producers
• Artist Index
• Royalty Calculator
• Market Watch
• Industry Events Calendar

Billboard Español Expand billboard-espanol menu

• Cultura y Entretenimiento

Get Up Anthems by Tres Expand get-up-anthems-by-tres menu

Honda music expand honda-music menu.

Wilko Johnson, Ilyn Payne on ‘Game of Thrones’ and Dr. Feelgood Guitarist, Dies at 75

By Jordan Moreau

Jordan Moreau

• ‘Super Mario Party Jamboree’ Goes All In on Chaotic, 20-Player Minigames 1 day ago
• Box Office: ‘Beetlejuice 2’ Makes $13 Million in Previews 4 days ago
• Rich Homie Quan, ‘Type of Way’ and ‘Flex’ Rapper, Dies at 34 5 days ago

Wilko Johnson , an English guitarist and singer for the band Dr. Feelgood who also played the executioner Ser Ilyn Payne on HBO’s “ Game of Thrones ,” died on Monday. He was 75.

“This is the announcement we never wanted to make, and we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died. He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family’s privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson,” his official Twitter account posted on Wednesday.

This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died. He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson. (Image: Leif Laaksonen) pic.twitter.com/1cRqyi9b9X — Wilko Johnson (@wilkojohnson) November 23, 2022

Related Stories

Disney vs. DirecTV Is a Different Kind of Carriage Battle 

Uzo Aduba Says Attending the DNC and Watching Kamala Harris Accept Nomination Felt Like an 'Outstanding Check Had Finally Been Paid on the American Dream'

Popular on variety.

But, thankfully, he continued performing and thrilling crowds until recently. I really admired him and we’ll all miss him. RIP Wilko. Photo © @scarletp https://t.co/XB1oftfmdb — Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) November 23, 2022

On TV, Johnson’s lone role was as Payne in Seasons 1 and 2 of “Game of Thrones.” Known as the King’s Justice, Payn was the royal executioner who was ordered to kill the beloved Eddard “Ned” Stark (Sean Bean) near the end of Season 1. He had his tongue cut out during the Mad King’s rule, making him the perfect, silent killer.

“They said they wanted somebody really sinister who went around looking daggers at people before killing them,” Wilko said in a 2011 interview . “That made it easy. Looking daggers at people is what I do all the time, it’s like second nature to me… On the first day, I had to look evilly at this girl. So I sort of boggled at her. Afterwards, the American director came up to me and said ‘Wilko, you don’t have to act scary. You are scary.’”

Among the musicians paying tribute to Johnson was Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who wrote, “I’m sad to hear today of the passing of Wilko Johnson, the Dr Feelgood guitarist and singer/songwriter. I saw Wilko perform at Koko in Camden in May 2013 and the atmosphere was electric. This show was originally billed as his farewell tour. But, thankfully, he continued performing and thrilling crowds until recently. I really admired him and we’ll all miss him. RIP Wilko.”

Alex Kapranos, the frontman of Franz Ferdinand, said that “his unique, wired playing style and stage presence thrilled and inspired many guitarists, myself included. When I interviewed him a few years ago, he was bright, thoughtful and an astonishing story teller, carving legend from life. His presence on this planet will be felt for many more years.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Kapranos (@alkapranos)

Johnson is survived by two sons, Matthew and Simon. His wife, Irene Knight, died from cancer in 2004.

More from Variety

Thai Hit Film ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Picked Up by Netflix – Global Bulletin

Content Owner Lawsuits Against AI Companies: Complete Updated Index

Wong Kar-wai’s ‘Blossoms Shanghai,’ Netflix’s ‘Cigarette Girl’ Among Busan Streaming Awards Nominees – Global Bulletin

Lucy Liu Expanding ‘Pirate Queen’ Franchise Into Graphic Novels, Podcast – Global Bulletin

Rani Mukerji Envisions Shah Rukh Khan, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman Collaborations, Launches Yash Chopra Stamp at Australian Parliament House – Global Bulletin

More from our brands, casey affleck tries to track down his wayward brother (not ben) in new zach bryan music video.

Dave & Buster’s Former CEO Has His Beachfront Florida Getaway on the Market for $10 Million

Ex-Michigan Players Sue NCAA, Big Ten Network for $50M Over NIL

The Best Loofahs and Body Scrubbers, According to Dermatologists

General Hospital Casts All My Children Vet Alexa Havins as New Lulu

Wilko Johnson, 1947-2022: proto-punk guitar pioneer with a fighting spirit

The Dr. Feelgood guitarist, who lived beyond an initial terminal diagnosis in 2012, possessed a inimitable spirit would have a huge impact on contemporaries both present and future

For a genre that seemed to roar out of nowhere, punk had many fathers. Iggy Pop , The MC5 , the New York Dolls , The Modern Lovers . And, in the UK, Dr Feelgood , the Canvey Island R&B pub rockers whose driving energy and subversive attitude fed into the punk movement, and whose legendary guitarist Wilko Johnson died today (November 23) some ten years after doctors had given him mere months to live.

Famed for his choppy, percussive guitar style and trademark ‘duckwalk’ stage move, Johnson was a much-loved figure within the music world. In the wake of his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer in 2012 he set about recording a farewell album with Roger Daltrey (2014’s ‘Going Back Home’), while Paul Weller told Uncut magazine, “Wilko may not be as famous as some other guitarists, but he’s right up there. And there are a lot of people who’ll say the same. I can hear Wilko in lots of places. It’s some legacy.”

Indeed, beyond his immediate influence on punk, Johnson’s stabbing, compulsive chord work bled into new wave acts such as The Jam , Elvis Costello and Gang Of Four and has been dissipated across alternative rock and pop for decades since. The vitality of The Strokes , Vampire Weekend , The Vaccines and Idles , it could be argued, originated at Wilko’s fingertips.

Canvey Island in Essex might not be quite as exotic as it sounds, but Wilko’s early life certainly looked to horizons. His English degree at the University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne included the study of Icelandic sagas and he then travelled to Goa in India before settling back in Essex to become a teacher. Having purchased his first Fender Telecaster in Southend in 1965, he’d played in several local groups as a teenager and swiftly rejoined the pub band community as a member of the Pigboy Charlie Band.

By 1971 the group had evolved into Dr Feelgood, naming themselves after a nickname for heroin (or the backstreet doctor willing to ‘prescribe’ it) and basing their vital British R&B sound around Wilko’s songwriting panache and distinct guitar style, inspired by Bo Diddley and Mick Green from Johnny Kidd And The Pirates. He cut an eye-catching figure onstage too, jerking and jolting around stages in black suit and pudding bowl haircut, firing riffs from his guitar from shoulder height, machine gun style. It was a smart yet confrontational and adrenalised persona which would eventually influence John Lydon , Suggs and all manner of post-punk pop barkers.

Gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting acts on London’s pub rock circuit, Dr Feelgood released their debut album ‘Down By The Jetty’ in 1974. The likes of Blondie , The Ramones , Richard Hell and Bob Geldof have all cited this hyper-charged blues punk record as influential on their work: The Jam covered ‘Cheque Book’ in their pre-fame days and you can spot a copy of it on the sleeve of The Style Council’s 1985 album ‘Our Favourite Shop’. 1975’s second album ‘Malpractice’ made the UK Top 20 and 1976’s live album ‘Stupidity’, dovetailing with the emergence of the British punk scene, topped the album chart.

By the height of punk in 1977, however, Dr Feelgood were in turmoil. None of their classic Wilko-penned singles – including ‘Roxette’, ‘She Does It Right’ and ‘Back In The Night’ – had broken the UK Top 40 and amid disagreements over the track listing for their third studio album ‘Sneakin’ Suspicion’ Wilko left the band. There remains some confusion over whether he quit or was fired. Either way, he soon launched both Solid Senders (who would release one self-titled album on Virgin in 1978) and The Wilko Johnson Band, with whom he’d play on and off for the rest of his life. One key ‘off’ period came in 1980, when Wilko briefly joined Ian Dury’s Blockheads for their third album ‘Laughter’; by 1984, however, he’d purloined several other Blockheads for his own band.

Though fairly prolific in the 1980s, The Wilko Johnson Band’s studio album output became more sporadic in recent decades. There were ten years between 1988’s ‘Barbed Wire Blues’ and 1998’s ‘Going Back Home’ and thirteen between covers album ‘Red Hot Rocking Blues’ in 2005 and their final record ‘Blow Your Mind’ in 2018. In the meantime, Wilko made several screen appearances which helped gain him the reputation as a wild and charismatic eccentric – his appearance in Julien Temple’s Oil City Confidential documentary in 2009 led on to a role in the first two seasons of Game Of Thrones in 2011 and ‘12, playing mute executioner Ser Ilyn Payne. “They wanted somebody really sinister who went around looking daggers at people before killing them,” he explained. “That made it easy. Looking daggers at people is what I do all the time, it’s like second nature to me.”

Following his cancer diagnosis, and amid much fundraising by his appreciative compadres in the British rock world, Wilko began to wind down. He played a farewell tour in 2013 and made guest appearances with Madness and The Blockheads and, having signed to Alan McGee’s Creation Management, on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny show in 2015. Happily, his cancer was eventually discovered to be less aggressive than first thought and surgery saw him declared cancer-free in 2014.

His extra years were a blessing to him and his two sons, and his music remains a gift to the entire alternative music world. As The Stranglers’ Jean-Jacques Burnel explained, “there is a bridge between the old times and the punk times. That bridge is exclusively the Feelgoods, it allowed us to go from one thing to another. That’s the connection, the DNA.”

• Related Topics
• Wilko Johnson

More Stories

‘good omens’ final season production suspended following neil gaiman assault allegations, g4 and ‘x factor’ star ben thapa dies, aged 42: “a great friend”, tributes paid to james earl jones, who has died aged 93, will jennings, lyricist for celine dion, eric clapton, diana ross and more, dies aged 80, bass guitar legend herbie flowers dies aged 86, songwriter and longtime sha na na pianist screamin’ scott simon has died, aged 75, you may also like.

Wilko Johnson, Dr. Feelgood Guitarist Who Influenced the Punk Movement, Dead at 75

By Daniel Kreps

Daniel Kreps

Wilko Johnson , the influential guitarist for the British pub rock band Dr. Feelgood who was credited with laying the groundwork for the punk movement, has died at the age of 75.

“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. “He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family’s privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson.”

A cause of death was not provided. 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. However, following surgery that removed a massive tumor from his body, Johnson declared he was cancer-free and remained musically active until his death.

Known for his unconventional finger-picking style and his onstage posture and attitude, Johnson served as inspiration for the punk guitarists who soon emerged in the wake of Dr. Feelgood. “Wilko Johnson was a precursor of punk,” Billy Bragg tweeted Wednesday. “His guitar playing was angry and angular, but his presence – twitchy, confrontational, out of control – was something we’d never beheld before in UK pop. Rotten, Strummer and Weller learned a lot from his edgy demeanor. He does it right RIP.”

Editor’s picks

Every awful thing trump has promised to do in a second term, the 250 greatest guitarists of all time, the 500 greatest albums of all time, 25 most influential creators of 2024, nicki minaj, birdman, and more slam jay-z over super bowl halftime show, chappell roan is a pop supernova. nothing about it has been easy, what if trump wins, david bowie now has a number one country music hit.

“I frequently remind people how Dr Feelgood was an influence on the early New York and CBGBs music scene,” Blondie’s Chris Stein tweeted Wednesday. “Great guitarist and performer.”

Travis Scott’s ‘Days Before Rodeo’ Success Shows the Power of Streaming Services

• Streaming Wars
• By Andre Gee

Casey Affleck Tries to Track Down His Wayward Brother (Not Ben) in New Zach Bryan Music Video

• By Jon Blistein

No Hits, No Problem: Nada Surf Are Grassroots Giants

• ALBUM REVIEW
• By Rob Sheffield

Chappell Roan's Former Label Tried to Stop Her From Releasing 'Pink Pony Club'

Joshua ray walker tells fans his cancer has spread, launches gofundme.

• Tough Times

Most Popular

James earl jones, distinguished actor and voice of darth vader, dies at 93, james earl jones, authoritative actor and voice of darth vader, dies at 93, inside taylor frankie paul's 'swinging' scandal & details on who was allegedly involved, navarro, pegula highlight billionaire parents at u.s. open, you might also like, disney will give directv customers access to abc news’ kamala harris-donald trump debate amid contract standoff, hodakova wins the 2024 lvmh prize for young designers, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, disney agrees to air tonight’s debate for directv customers on abc even without a new deal, ex-michigan players sue ncaa, big ten network for $50m over nil.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Wilko Johnson Lines Up Farewell Tour

Legendary British rhythm and blues guitarist Wilko Johnson, who has terminal cancer, announces a string of farewell gigs.

Friday 18 January 2013 13:07, UK

Guitarist Wilko Johnson has lined up a handful of farewell concerts following his diagnosis with terminal cancer.

The Dr Feelgood founder, who found new fame with a regular role in TV series Game Of Thrones, has set four dates in March to thank his fans for their support.

The musician has cancer of the pancreas and has chosen not to undergo chemotherapy.

Johnson - noted for his exuberant performances and mad-eyed stare - is continuing to tour, and is said to be planning further new recordings.

The 65-year-old developed a choppy style of guitar playing in which he plays both rhythm and lead. Unusually, he taught himself to play a right-handed instrument, despite being left-handed.

He will begin his final UK shows at Koko in London on March 6, moving on to Bilston Robin 2, Holmfirth Picturedrome and finishing at the Glasgow O2 ABC.

Johnson's manager Robert Hoy said: "The four UK dates represent an opportunity for Wilko to express his sincere thanks to his fans for all the support he has had over his long career."

More from Ents & Arts

Jeremy Kyle Show death: No clear link between Steve Dymond's appearance on the show and his suicide - coroner

Harry Potter: Casting opens for next Harry, Ron and Hermione for TV adaptation

Huw Edwards: BBC boss Tim Davie denies 'wholesale banning' of newsreader footage after scandal

Johnson was a member of the pub rockers Dr Feelgood, formed on Canvey Island, Essex, in the early 1970s, but left in 1977 after they had achieved a number one with the album Stupidity.

He later went on to lead his own band and had a stint in Ian Dury's band the Blockheads.

Director Julien Temple made a well-received documentary about Dr Feelgood, Oil City Confidential, which was released in 2009.

The band's singer Lee Brilleaux died in 1994.

Wilko Johnson's farewell tour really is final

Diagnosed with cancer, former dr feelgood guitar player wilko johnson is setting out on one last tour..

• 11:32, 23 JAN 2013
• Updated 12:56, 23 JAN 2013

Subscribe to our daily What's On newsletter to keep up with what's happening around Greater Manchester

We have more newsletters

I've seen a few farewell tours in my time. I had that Tim Booth on the phone the other day, telling me about his band James stepping out at the Manchester Arena in April. I resisted the urge to point out that it was on that very stage 12 years ago that James played a farewell show.

Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand both had form for doing more farewell tours than the strict definition allows. In the line of duty, I personally witnessed The Osmonds' Final Tour at the Apollo last year, but guess which chirpy band of harmonious brothers pop up again at the Apollo as part of the Boogie Nights musical in March?

Yes, there is a long list of bands, from the Eagles to Shed Seven, whose “never again” has been followed by a comeback.

But none has been quite so definite about the finality of the farewell as Wilko Johnson.  In the 1970s, he played guitar with the jerky intensity of a clockwork toy for pub rock supremos Dr Feelgood. But now that toy is winding down. Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer Wilko, aged 65, opted not to sit at home and mope but to set out on a farewell tour. Tickets are selling like hot cakes.

So Wilko rocks his way from Canvey Island to the end of the line. He says he feels fine, chooses not to have exhausting chemotherapy which can only prolong the inevitable, and in the four or five months he has before the symptoms kick in, life goes on.

Wilko's lucidity, his acceptance of his fate - even five years short of the allotted three score and ten years - are a lesson to us all.

Of course, pop and rock does not deal in death. Or rather, it deals in a cartoon form of death: pop songs saying I-love-you-so-much-I'll-die, ghastly teen tragedy songs like Tell Laura I Love Her, or rock music obsessed with war, gore and homicidal goblins.

The glaring exception to the rule is one of the best-known lyrics in popular music, My Way, in which the singer faces the final curtain having lived a life that's full. But somehow Sinatra's reading of it does not seem philosophical. No it seems like one last stubborn ego trip.

Pop is almost of pensionable age now. For much of that span, we have continued to think of it as the expression of youth. A young Paul McCartney wondered aloud whether he would even be able to write a song when he reached the grand old age of 40. Ringo Starr planned, when all that Beatles stuff inevitably fizzled,  to open a chain of ladies hairdressers.

No review of a Rolling Stones concert these past 30 years has been complete without comparing Mick Jagger's face to an elephant's backside and insinuating that at his age he is just embarrassing all concerned.

The truth is that McCartney can write a song even at 70 and Jagger can still convincingly do the moves he borrowed from Tina Turner. It turns out that there really is many a good tune to be played on an old fiddle, as countless troubadours from Paul Simon to James Taylor to Loudon Wainwright III – all eloquent in song about the passing  of the years – can prove.

The music we once thought could only tell of first love can also be about last rites, and all the more intriguing for that.

Wilko says all he needs to say on that score simply by getting up on stage. The man who greets death by strapping on an electric guitar...that's my kind of rock hero.

• Entertainment
• Paul McCartney
• Rolling Stones
• Most Recent

Wilko Johnson review: Farewell tour an uplifting, magical night

The guitarist has said his terminal cancer made him feel vividly alive - and his performance did the same for the audience

Wilko Johnson farewell tour at Koko, Camden

• 08:55, 8 Mar 2013
• Updated 10:09, 8 Mar 2013

The phrase 'living legend' has rarely seemed as appropriate or as cruel as it did at the first of Wilko Johnson's London farewell gigs on Wednesday March 7th.

The guitarist's story is one even director Danny Boyle , in the audience at a rammed Camden Koko, would have rejected as implausible.

Three decades on from his split with Dr Feelgood, who straddled blues and pre-punk on the mid-1970s pub rock scene, the bullet-headed, bug-eyed former hippy schoolteacher achieved national treasure status in 2010 with his star turn in Julien Temple's acclaimed band biopic Oil City Confidential. A career revival and an unlikely part as a mute executioner in Game Of Thrones duly followed.

Then, last December, he was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Having rejected the chemotherapy that might have bought him a couple of months, Johnson was given less than a year to live.

Since then Wilko has spoken movingly of his "strange euphoria" on hearing the diagnosis, and how it has helped lift the self-doubt and depression which have plagued much of his 65 years .

There were no mawkish on-stage references to his plight from Johnson, terse on stage as he is verbose off it.

Instead, he simply did what he has done for years - firing out blues and rock riffs and lead lines simultaneously as he skittered about the stage, pausing often to aim his guitar into the crowd like a machine gun.

Even when a sea of audience waves greeted Johnson concluding his set with Bye Bye Johnny, Chuck Berry's 'answer record' to his own Johnny B Goode, the mood was uplifting rather than maudlin.

It could rarely be anything else considering the barnstorming material he was working with, largely drawn from the Feelgoods' golden period, and the quality of sidemen Norman Watt-Roy and Dylan Howe on bass and drums respectively.

Alison Moyet's two-song encore cameo, belting out songs written by Johnson for his old partner Lee Brilleaux, rounded off a night of magic.

If you have tickets to see the rest of Johnson's sold-out swansong, you are truly privileged. We won't see his like again.

MORE ON Cancer Wilko Johnson

Get email updates with the day's biggest stories.

Johnson was a member of the pub rockers Dr Feelgood, formed on Canvey Island, Essex, in the early 1970s, but left in 1977 after they had achieved a number one with the album Stupidity.

He later went on to lead his own band and had a stint in Ian Dury's band the Blockheads.

Director Julien Temple made a well-received documentary about Dr Feelgood, Oil City Confidential, which was released in 2009.

The band's singer Lee Brilleaux died in 1994.

Latest stories

'sex act gave me cancer, but i'm recovering - and i feel grateful'.

Max has opened up about his cancer diagnosis in a bid to break down stigmas and encourage people to get checked

Seven million retirees to miss out on £460 state pension boost

Seven million older retirees will miss out on the full 4pc uplift in the state pension, analysis shows.

Mum takes family of seven to Tenerife restaurant and is gobsmacked when bill comes

A mum-of-seven shared exactly what she paid to take her family-of-seven out for a meal on holiday in Tenerife – and it's proved to be surprising for many

ITV Emmerdale regular sacked after harrowing abuse revelations come to light

An Emmerdale regular has found themselves fired after the truth about their horrific abuse has been revealed

Prince Harry reveals his scathing reply to King Charles after Meghan wasn't invited to Balmoral

Prince Harry has share the cutting eight word reply he gave to his father, King Charles, after being told that wife Meghan Markle couldn't be with the Queen when she died.

Reeves claimed £4,400 in energy support before axing winter fuel payments

Rachel Reeves claimed £4,400 of taxpayer cash towards her energy bills before axing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

Brave bystander confronts masked knife-wielding 'phone robber' in central London

The passerby marches up to the knifeman shouting ‘come on son’ at which point the thug escapes on his e-bike

Meghan Markle's UK return date 'revealed' as she's set to fly over with Harry

Meghan Markle could be spending Christmas in the UK with Prince Harry and their children as it's claimed the family have received an invitation to spend the festive period with Charles Spencer

Brutal 'pack of animals' who knifed boxer in heart scream 'you're a nonce, you touch kids' at judge as they're jailed

Boxer Anthony Dodson is 'lucky to be alive' after being stabbed in the heart when fighting broke out in a city centre nightclub

Former star 'devastated' at not being invited to play in Manchester United Legends vs Celtic

One former club hero was left with a bitter taste in his mouth after missing out, taking a dig at those who did play at Old Trafford on Saturday.

King Charles gives Prince Andrew two choices in bid to end wrangle over Royal Lodge

Prince Andrew is said to be 'in the dog house' with his brother King Charles and has been given an ultimatum to solve the row over his living arrangements in Windsor

Mum defends giving baby a name 'going extinct' - though some say he will be bullied

A couple gave their baby a soon-to-be extinct name and say he'll be the only child at school with it - despite some claiming he'll be bullied.

Meghan & Harry Waited Just 100 Minutes to Overshadow Kate

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a trailer for their new Netflix project just 100 minutes after Kate Middleton shared a touching video telling the world she had completed chemotherapy and was looking forward to the future.There is no evidence that the clash was anything other than a coincidence, but indignant critics pointed out the stark difference between the public announcements.It’s not the first time that diary conflicts have drawn attention to the feuding royals. In March, the Duke

Inside Grace star John Simm's home life with famous wife of 20 years

Grace star John Simm married his famous wife in April 2004, and you'll definitely recognise her from a number of Hollywood films and TV series.

Jennifer Lopez Wears Semi-Sheer Tiered Nude Dress to TIFF Party

Jennifer Lopez attended the Road to the Golden Globes Party at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival in tiered asymmetrical skirt by Chloé.

Prince William and Princess Kate make major change following heartfelt video

Princess Kate featured in a heartfelt video alongside Prince William to update the public on her cancer journey and now the couple have made a big change. See details.

Slugs and snails get ‘instantly repelled’ from gardens with ‘brilliant’ 24p kitchen item

One woman has claimed to have found an effective and affordable way to deter slugs and snails from plants

Kamala Harris' Campaign Strikes Rawest Of Nerves For Donald Trump In Mocking New Ad

One of Donald Trump's obsessions is lampooned in the spot — with some help from Barack Obama.

Pensioners will be £1,700 better off, Rachel Reeves tells winter fuel rebels

Rachel Reeves says pensioners are on course for a £1,700 boost under Labour as she tries to counter a rebellion over winter fuel payment cuts.

Carol Vorderman reveals she has parted ways with two of her ‘special friends’ as she shares love life update

The Welsh presenter downplayed the split, stating that ‘life's moved on’

Crash of an Antonov AN-24B in Kursk