Wilko Johnson Has Died At Age 75 - Noise11.com
Wilko Johnson memorial image by Leif Laaksonen from Wilko facebook page

Wilko Johnson memorial image by Leif Laaksonen from Wilko facebook page

Wilko Johnson Has Died At Age 75

by Paul Cashmere on November 24, 2022

in News

R.I.P. Wilko Johnson, one time member of Dr Feelgood, member of Ian Dury & The Blockheads and collaborator with The Who’s Roger Daltrey. Wilco has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Johnson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013 but refused chemo. At the time when told he had 10 months to live he decided to live life to the fullest. As part of his own farewell, Wilco went back to the studio and recorded the ‘Going Back Home’ album with Roger Daltrey.

Wilko was also a member of The Blockheads cowriting the song ‘Superman’s Big Sister’ with Ian Dury.

When Wilko Johnson joined as a founding member of Dr Feelgood in 1971 he took lead on a number of songs while the band revolved around his guitar sound. He left the band in 1977.

Many people may be unaware of the name Wilko Johnson but Game of Thrones fans have seen the face. He was the mute executioner Set Ilyn Payne in the first two seasons of the show.

Wilko died at his hon on 21 November 2022.

The official statement reads, “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”.

Billy Bragg said, “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”

Jimmy Page said, “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.”

Roger Daltrey, “”More than anything Wilko wanted to be a poet. I was lucky to have known him and have him as a friend. His music lives on but there’s no escaping the final curtain this time. So it’s goodnight to Mad Carew, the uncompromising Bard of Canvey.”

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Cold Chisel The Big Five O Live
Cold Chisel To Release Live DVD/Blu-Ray From Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Cold Chisel’s ‘The Big Five-O Live’ show, recently broadcast of television, will be available on CD, vinyl, DVD and Blu-Ray in August.

1 day ago
Phil Manning of Chain
Phil Manning and Warren Morgan Team Up For Exclusive Melbourne Show

Phil Manning of Chain and Warren Morgan of The Aztecs and also Chain will get together in Melbourne this Saturday night for a one-off performance.

2 days ago
Foreigner debut album 1977
Lou Gramm Reclaims The Songs Of Foreigner With Live Show

With Foreigner not being or sounding like Foreigner for years, original lead singer Lou Gramm is reclaiming lost ground with his almost all-Foreigner setlist.

3 days ago
Billy Joel at the MCG 10 December 2022 photo by Bron Robinson 2
The Billy Joel Documentary ‘And So It Goes’ Release Date HBO Max July 25

Netflix has confirmed a July 25 premiere for the Billy Joel documentary ‘And So It Goes’.

3 days ago
The Rolling Stones, Ros O'Gorman photographer, Rod Laver Arena
Ron Wood Joins Rod Stewart At Glastonbury

Ron Wood joined Rod Stewart at Glastonbury on the weekend but it wasn’t the Faces reunion that was anticipated.

3 days ago
Stephen Bishop Final Album ‘Thimk’ with Eric Clapton, Sting, Graham Nash and More

Stephen Bishop has announced that his next album ‘Thimk’ will also be his final album.

3 days ago
Dave Stewart and Daryl Hall Live From Daryls House 2025
Dave Stewart and Vanessa Amorosi Join Daryl Hall for Live At Daryl’s House

Eurythmics legend Dave Stewart and Aussie singer Vanessa Amorosi have joined Daryl Hall for the 91st edition of ‘Live From Daryl’s House.

5 days ago