Dr Dupree, from the album, was on the B-side. Instead a studio version of Walking On The Edge (not included) was released. Oddly no single was taken from the album. The band thrived in a live situation and the audience thrilled to new versions of two Dr Feelgood originals written by Wilko, Walking On The Edge and the brilliant Paradise, plus some favoured oldies: Chuck Berry's All Aboard (sung by John Potter), Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited treated with gay abandon, Jimmy Hughes' Neighbour Neighbour and finally a rousing and lewd nod to BB on Rock Me Baby. Limited copies of the original album release contained a bonus 12" 6-track EP recorded live during 1977 at an unspecified venue and these are included on the 1990 CD re-issue, though possibly not on this one, as the Amazon tracklist doesn't mention it. The personnel is augmented on the record by Dave Brooks (sax on First Thing In The Morning) and future member John Denton on piano. It is the Wilko songs that really stand out, though, especially single-that-wasn't Everybody's Carrying A Gun and Blazing Fountains. There is also a revival of the Miracles' classic Shop Around, quite a brave choice for that punk-saturated year, and one that lends itself to Wilko's distinctive guitar style. The late Alan Platt's song First Thing In The Morning, featuring Alan's lead vocal, was recorded by the Solid Senders at three in the morning with Wilko's tasteful guitar part added to the track later.Īll three collaborated with Wilko on some songs and other writers were brought in, too: Hugo Williams on two of Wilko's, and Mike Maynard with John Potter on Keep Both Eyes On The Road. With Wilko's proven record as guitarist, singer and songwriter of note, one might have imagined that the band would be his vehicle, but in fact the album is surprisingly democratic, with three of the songs written and sung by John Potter. Line-up details on the vinyl album sleeve have been omitted from the CD re-issue. He and keyboardist John Potter, the former fifth member of Dr Feelgood, recruited the new rhythm section of Steve Lewins and Alan Platt to form Wilko Johnson's Solid Senders. It was then discovered that the cancer wasn’t as virulent as originally thought and he underwent an 11 hour operation to remove the tumour, The surgery and outcome were successful and he was able to attend Q Awards and receive the Icon Award in October 2014.The combination of Wilko Johnson and Lee Brilleaux proved just too explosive for one band to contain and in 1977 Wilko set out to form his own band. He turned down chemotherapy and made plans for a final tour. In 2012 he cancelled a show when he was taken to hospital and in 2013 he was told he had late stage pancreatic cancer. They have toured regularly since the 1990s and in 2000 he recorded the album Live in Japan. Prior to becoming a member of Ian Dury and the Blockheads he formed the group Solid Senders in 1977, essentially a backing band, and they released the album Solid Senders that same year.Īfter releasing several LPs he formed The Wilko Johnson Band in the mid 1980s and featured the Blockhead’s bass player Norman Watt-Ray and drummer Salvatore Ramundo. Feelgood where he developed his own style of playing and saw success when their album Stupidity reached No. He is a guitarist born John Wilkinson in Canvey Island, Essex, England, who studied English at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, after having played with various local groups, and when he finished his education he returned to Essex to play with the Pigboy Charlie Band.
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