Wilko Johnson RIP

November 26, 2022 at 8:58 pm (Uncategorized)

In 1975, Blondie drummer Clem Burke took a trip to England. Sometime after he returned to New York, he was at a party at Chris Stein and Debbie Harry’s apartment along with a collection of albums he had picked up in the UK. In addition to Blondie, members of the Ramones and Talking Heads, as well as Richard Hell, and Johnny Thunders were there, and the record that was played over and over was Dr. Feelgood’s debut Down by the Jetty. (this is the version of the story, I’ve always heard, but the current issue of Mojo states it was the second album Malpractice that commanded attention. It’s possible, as both came out in 1975 and both are brilliant, but it could also be a mistake)

It’s not hard to see why the Feelgood’s debut would have that effect. 45 years later, it still has a punch. While the rhythm section are tight and singer Lee Brilleaux growls his vocals, it’s Wilko Johnson’s distinctive guitar that slices through the speakers (he also wrote most of the songs). Although seemingly part of the pub-rock scene, the Feelgoods were a cut above. Tighter, harder. Listen to the early records by the Stones, the Pretty Things or the Yardbirds, and you’ll hear that same, almost punk, R & B. And many of the later punks heard something they liked in the Feelgoods. Both Paul Weller and Bob Geldof have praised those early albums.

The Wilko Johnson line up lasted for four albums: Down by the Jetty, Malpractice, the live album Stupidity, and Sneaking Suspicion. Then in 1977, depending on who you believe, Johnson either quit or was fired. The following year the Feelgoods released their second post-Wiko album Private Practice, which contained their biggest hit “Milk and Alcohol.” It was the first time I’d heard of the band (I still have the single). Johnson formed his own band Solid Senders playing much the same type of material as he had in the Feelgoods. In 1980, he joined Ian Dury as part of the Blockheads, but later resumed his solo career.

Johnson even had a go at acting playing the part of the royal executioner Ser Ilyn Payne on the HBO production of Game of Thrones. (I’m sure someone thought it clever to cast him as an axeman of another sort)

In 2013, Johnson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He wasn’t expected to survive, but instead of moping, Johnson recorded a terrific album Going Back Home with Roger Daltrey. As it turned out, Johnson survived the cancer after participating in radical surgery.

Johnson’s death last week at the age of 75 is a felt loss; The passing of a musician whose work influenced many, many other musicians. Go listen to those early Dr. Feelgood records. Listen to Wilko’s solo records and the final one with Roger Daltrey. Scour Youtube for performance clips. Watch Julien Temple’s 2009 documentary Oil City Confidential. You won’t be sorry.

Rest in peace Wilko.