Wilko Johnson
John Peter Wilkinson (12 July 1947 – 21 November 2022), is an English singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for his time with the pub rock band Dr. Feelgood. He is said to be one of the founding influences of the English punk movement.[1]
Wilko Johnson | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Peter Wilkinson |
| Born | 12 July 1947 Canvey Island, Essex, England |
| Died | 21 November 2022 (aged 75) Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England |
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| Years active | 1970–2022 |
| Labels | United Artists |
| Website | wilkojohnson |
Johnson was featured in the first and second seasons of the HBO series Game of Thrones. He played a mute executioner named Ilyn Payne.[2]
In January 2013, he was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. He chose not to receive any chemotherapy. He said in an interview with John Wilson on the BBC Radio 4 programme Front Row that the doctors told him he only had nine or ten months to live.[3] He also said during the interview that he was going to do a "farewell tour" of the UK set for March.[4] When he finished his tour, he announced that he was going to spend his final days recording a farewell album with Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who.[5]
In October 2014, Johnson announced he was cancer free.[6] Johnson died on 21 November 2022, at his home in Westcliff-on-Sea, at the age of 75.[7][8][9] Following the announcement of Johnson's death, Billy Bragg said, "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." Alex Kapranos, lead singer of Franz Ferdinand said, "His unique, wired playing & stage presence thrilled & inspired many guitarists, myself included." Broadcaster Bob Harris said "Wilko was absolutely unique. His energy and spirit were incredible."[9]
Wilko Johnson Media
Johnson at Rock`n`Blues Jan 2008, Butlins Skegness
Railway Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, pub sign featuring portrait of Wilko Johnson
Me and Wilko
Johnson in 2012 at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale
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References
- ↑ "Punk Britannia. Pre-Punk 1972-1976 Episode 1 of 3". BBC. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ↑ "The Headsman and the Ranger's Return". Westeros.org. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ↑ "Dr Feelgood's Wilko Johnson Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer". Stereo Board. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ↑ "Wilko Johnson; William Scott; The Turn of the Screw". BBC. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ↑ "Terminally ill Wilko Johnson recording farewell album with Roger Daltrey". Mirror Online. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ↑ Karim, Fariha. My terminal cancer is cured, says Wilko Johnson. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/music/article4244808.ece.
- ↑ "Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson dies aged 75". reuters.com. 23 November 2022. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/dr-feelgood-guitarist-wilko-johnson-dies-aged-75-2022-11-23/. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ↑ Clarke, Patrick (23 November 2022). "The Quietus | News | Wilko Johnson Has Died" (in en-us). The Quietus. https://thequietus.com/articles/32388-wilko-johnson-dead. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Wilko Johnson: Dr Feelgood star dies aged 75". Sky News. 23 November 2022. https://news.sky.com/story/wilko-johnson-dr-feelgood-star-dies-aged-75-12753748. Retrieved 23 November 2022.