Wilko
Johnson, the former guitarist for the influential English R&B group Dr.
Feelgood, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas.
According
to a statement issued by his manager Robert Hoy, Johnson does not plan to
undergo chemotherapy, and 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."
Notorious
for their rowdy live shows, Dr. Feelgood never broke big, but Johnson's
distinct, choppy guitar playing inspired many post-punk guitarists. Johnson
left Dr. Feelgood in 1977; he went on to play with the Blockheads, started his
own Wilko Johnson Band and even scored a recurring role as the mute knight Ilyn
Payne on Game of Thrones.
Despite
the diagnosis, Hoy says Johnson plans to finish a new CD when he returns from a
trip to Japan, after which he'll do a short tour in France and play a series of
farewell gigs in the U.K.. A live DVD, composed of footage filmed during his
last U.K. tour, is also in the works.
"Wilko
wishes to offer his sincere thanks for all the support he has had over his long
career," the statement reads, "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."
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