Wilko Johnson - March 2013 UK Tour

Wilko Johnson, guitarist and founding member of Dr. Feelgood, will perform four farewell concerts in the UK during March 2013.

Photo credit Reg Richardson

Wilko Johnson, guitarist and founding member of Dr. Feelgood, will perform four farewell concerts in the UK during March 2013.

The news follows last week’s official statement on Wilko’s Facebook page that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas and has chosen not to undergo chemotherapy.

Says Wilko’s manager, Robert Hoy, “The four UK dates represent an opportunity for Wilko to express his sincere thanks to his fans for all the support he has had over his long career.”

The tour starts Wednesday March 6 at London Koko, followed by Bilston Robin 2 (March 7), Holmfirth Picturedrome (March 8) and Glasgow o2 ABC (March 9). Tickets go on sale Monday January 21. Box Office - 0844 478 0898, www.thegigcartel.com

The four UK dates represent a series of farewell concerts for Wilko. After returning from a tour of Japan, Wilko plans to record a new studio album, and will also release a live DVD from 2012’s UK tour.

He is also planning a short tour of France.

In addition to pioneering Dr. Feelgood’s iconic mid-seventies, pre-punk British R&B sound, by 1980 Johnson moved on as the guitarist for Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

Today, Johnson’s own band includes Blockheads members - Norman Watt-Roy (bass guitar) and Dylan Howe (drums).

In 2009 Johnson featured in Julien Temple’s Oil City Confidential; a fascinating full-length feature film documentary about Dr. Feelgood. The film received many accolades including the MOJO Vision Award at the MOJO Honours List 2010.

Dr. Feelgood originally formed in 1971 as a British pub rock band from Canvey Island, Essex. Their name derived from a slang term for heroin or for a doctor who was willing to overprescribe drugs. It is also a reference to a 1962 record “Dr. Feel-Good” by the American blues pianist/singer Willie Perryman (nicknamed "Piano Red"), which Perryman originally recorded under the name of Dr. Feelgood & The Interns.

Dr. Feelgood’s distinctive British R&B sound was centered on Wilko Johnson’s choppy guitar style. The original band line-up also included singer Lee Brilleaux, and the rhythm section of John B. Sparks (aka "Sparko") on bass guitar and John Martin (aka "The Big Figure") on drums.

Dr. Feelgood is best known for their high energy live performances. Their studio albums Down by the Jetty (1974) and Malpractice (1975) proved incredibly popular. In 1976, their live album, Stupidity reached No.1 in the Official UK Album Chart. When the band released their fourth album, Sneakin’ Suspicion (1977), Johnson quit the band to pursue a solo career.

London, Koko (Sold Out)
Wednesday 6th March
Tickets: £20.00, Doors: 6:30pm
Box Office: 0870 432 5527
Book Online: www.ticketweb.co.uk
1A Camden High Street, London, NW1 7JE
www.koko.uk.com

Bilston, The Robin 2 (Sold Out)
Thursday 7th March
Tickets: £17.50, Doors: 7:30pm
Box Office: 01902 401211
www.therobin.co.uk
20-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ

Holmfirth, Picturedrome (Sold Out)
Friday 8th March
Tickets: £17.50, Doors: 7:30pm
Box Office: 0844 478 8098
Market Walk, Holmfirth, HD9 7DA
www.picturedrome.net

Glasgow, o2 ABC
Saturday 9th March
Tickets: £17.50, Doors: 6:30pm
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
300 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JA
www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk

Due to popular demand second london show added tickets on sale tuesday 22nd january

London, Koko
Sunday 10th March
Tickets: £20.00, Doors: 6:30pm
Box Office: 0870 432 5527
Book Online: www.ticketweb.co.uk
1A Camden High Street, London, NW1 7JE
www.koko.uk.com