Biography and Peel Session
Wilko Johnson (born John Wilkinson in 1947) is a guitarist particularly associated with 1970s British rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood. From Canvey Island in Essex, Johnson played in several local groups before moving to the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to study English. Returning to Essex, he played with the Pigboy Charlie Band, which evolved into Dr Feelgood a mainstay of the 1970s 'pub rock' movement.
Johnson developed his own unique style, coupling a choppy guitar style with a novel dress sense (he favored a black suit and a 'pudding bowl' haircut and jerky movements.
Maintaining this style even after leaving Dr. Feelgood. In 1977, he was a founder member of the Solid Senders. Russ Strutter who had been in the chart band Tonight was also in this band. A couple of years later joined Ian Dury’s band, The Blockheads. He then formed the Wilko Johnson Band, joined by Blockhead bassist Norman Watt-Roy and drummer Salvatore Ramundo. Salvatore was replaced by Steve Monti previously drummer with Jesus and Mary Chain. The Wilko Johnson band still play on the circuit in spite of his wife's and booking manager Irene death in 2004. He still plays regularly in 2006 with the red and black guitar. He is playing Club Bang Bang at 100 Club on Friday October 6th, 2006 from 7.30pm - 12.30am. On The 7th of February 2008 Wilko Johnson and British Sea Power played a gig at the Monico Hotel, Canvey Island. Oil City Confidential played the Movie Starr in Canvey in 2010 after a Premiere at the London film Festival.
Current Wilko Johnson Gigs can seen on his Myspace Page.
- Archive Information
Peel Session 26/9/78
Everybody is carrying a gun
Slipping and Sliding
Blazing Fountains
All right
Highway 61
Wilko Johnson... Guitar Vocals
Steve Lewins.... Bass
John Denton..... Piano
Alan Platt.......Drums