Dr. Feelgood’s Wilko Johnson diagnosed with cancer


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Wilko Johnson, one of the most unique and enigmatic characters in British music, has been diagnosed with cancer and will not seek treatment.

Johnson’s manager Robert Hoy broke the sad news on his official Facebook page, revealing the former Dr. Feelgood guitarist will press on with plans to record a new album this year before playing more live gigs in the UK.

“I am very sad to announce that Wilko has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas,” Hoy has written. “He has chosen not to receive any chemotherapy. He is currently in good spirits, is not yet suffering any physical effects and can expect to enjoy at least another few months of reasonable health and activity.”

“He has just set off on a trip to Japan; on his return we plan to complete a new CD, make a short tour of France, then give a series of farewell gigs in the UK. There is also a live DVD in the pipeline, filmed on the last UK tour.”

As the driving force behind Dr. Feelgood, Wilko Johnson became a massively popular figure on the London pub rock scene in the mid-70s – a movement which proved to be hugely influential on many of the budding musicians who would go on to play a pivotal role in the punk explosion a short time later.

After the leaving the band in 1977, he continued to be a prominent fixture on the era’s music scene – briefly joining Ian Dury & The Blockheads at one point – and has since released a series of albums with the Wilko Johnson Band.


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