Wilko Johnson Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer

Wilko taken ill, tonight and tomorrow night's gigs in Canvey cancelled

WILKO NEWS: From Wilko Johnson/ Rob Hoy /Cadiz Music / KOKO

We are delighted to announce that Wilko Johnson with Norman Watt-Roy and Dylan Howe will play KOKO in Camden Town, London on the 13th and 14th October 2013.

Wilko will be on stage at 9pm each night and there will be two support acts. Tickets are £22.50 each and available from Ticketweb and will be on sale from 5pm, 20th September.

Wilko continues to be in good health and spirits and wants to take the opportunity to be as active as possible.

As Elton John recently said “He is too busy living life to think about f***ing dying!”

So, went to this gig on Sunday.
It was (of course) fantastic and very enjoyable, special and poignant.
I got to the venue in Camden around 7.30 just as the first support band were starting.
4 young lads in their teens, all wearing natty suits, one wearing sunglasses and singing songs in the style of Dr Feelgood....it could only be The Strypes.
Except it was a band from Essex called The 45's.
They were pretty good, young and enthusiastic.
Hope they do well.

Koko is a nice venue, an old theatre type building, a bit like The Olympia.
Probably holds about 1500/2000 and it was a sell-out.
When the support band finished, I got myself centre about 10ft back from the stage, lovely!
Wilko came on at 9.00 to a fantastic reception from the crowd.
Clearly moved and in good form, he plugged in and did what only he can do.
He strutted the stage playing the Tele in that unique rhythm/lead style of his while Norman Watt-Roy (simply the best bassist on this planet) played jaw-dropping basslines to every song.
Dylan Howe is a jazzy kind of drummer and he's brought a new dimension to the band.
Wilko played the whole gig with a smile on his face and his good humour and healthy appearance reveberated through band and audience.
During Norman's bass solo, Wilko whispered something into his ear and both of them went into fits of laughter, great to see!
I've probably seen them live about 20-30 times over the years and this was possibly the best I've ever seen them play.
The chemistry between band and audience was electric and very special.
Wilko in full flight, machine gunning us with the Tele, Norman playing bass chords, harmonics, and impossible bass runs at will.
Just mind-blowing stuff!
All too soon it was over and as the band came back on for an encore, Wilko steeped up to say "thanks..."
That was as far as he got, as his voice cracked and he stood back and took in the fantastic ovation he was getting, clearly moved.
I'm so glad I went to this gig.
I first saw him about 30 years ago and I honestly thought Glasgow back in March was the last time I'd ever see him play so I invested a lot of emotion in that show.
Sunday's gig was just joyous, a celebration from start to finish.
Wilko Johnson is still alive and kicking!

Got my copy of the dvd yesterday and it's fantastic.
Beg, borrow or buy a copy for Christmas, you won't regret it!

One more sleep!

WILKO JOHNSON & ROCK LEGENDS TO ROCK BALLYSHANNON FOR RORY GALLAGHER FESTIVAL 2014

Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood) with Norman Roy-watt (The Blockheads) are among over 20 acts that have been unveiled for this year’s Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival that will take place in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal between Thursday 29th May and Sunday 1st June 2014.

Wilko Johnson set to make a rare Irish appearance as the former Dr. Feelgood frontman continues to battle cancer. On Tuesday night last, Wilko Johnson along with Roger Daltrey (The Who) played to a sold-out show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, while on Friday Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey’s New Album “Going Back Home” went to No.1 in the Amazon UK Album Charts. Wilko said “I am delighted to have the opportunity to come to his birthplace and honour the great G-man, its going to be a superb gig and I am really looking forward to playing at Rory Gallagher Festival 2014 in Ireland, going to be great”.

Festival Chairperson Barry O’Neill while launching the 2014 Festival said “this is without doubt the best line-up ever – Rory Gallagher would be honoured and chuffed, we are expecting our biggest attendances ever, this will be one of the most significant tributes to Rory and without doubt the biggest Classic Rock and Rock Blues Music Festival on the island of Ireland in 2014”.

Weekend Early Bird Tickets for the nightly Big Top Concerts are on sale at just €40 for all 3 nights with over 25 hours of Free Outdoor Street Concerts, Exhibitions and Talks also.

Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2014 takes place in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland between Thursday 29th May and Sunday 1st June 2014 with all details available on the Official Festival Website www.rorygallagherfestival.com Email: roryfest@hotmail.com

Just seems to be 'early bird' weekender tickets at the moment.
I'm sure 'daily' tickets will go on sale later?

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Wilko Johnson Cancels Commitments For Medical Procedure:

Dr. Feelgood legend Wilko Johnson has today reluctantly had to cancel all of his public engagements.

Wilko, currently riding high in the UK album chart with the Roger Daltrey collaboration 'Going Back Home', has sought further advice about his pancreatic cancer and as a result has undergone a medical procedure that will see him out of action for the foreseeable future.

Doctors are hopeful that following the surgery the prognosis for Wilko will be positive.

Before going into hospital Wilko spoke to Tony Parsons. The exclusive interview can be read at http://bit.ly/WilkoGQ