Wilko Johnson, from Dr Feelgood and Ian Dury and The Blockheads, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Wilko Johnson
Johnson’s manager Robert Hoy has released the following statement:
“I am very sad to announce that Wilko has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas.
“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.
”Wilko wishes to offer his sincere thanks for all the support he has had over his long career, from those who have worked with him to, above all, those devoted fans and admirers who have attended his live gigs, bought his recordings and generally made his life such an extraordinarily full and eventful experience”.
Johnson was a founding member of British blues band Dr Feelgood in 1971. He was the sole songwriter on the band’s first four albums. He left Dr Feelgood in 1977.
In 1980, he joined Ian Dury & The Blockheads before moving onto his own Wilko Johnson Band. He played on the Blockheads ‘Laughter’ album and co-wrote ‘Superman’s Big Sister’ with Ian Dury.
In the past two years, Game of Thorns fans would know Wilko as executioner Ilyn Payne in the first and second series of Game of Thrones.
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