Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DR FEELGOOD

UK R&B revival band formed '71 by guitarist Wilko Johnson (b John Wilkinson, '47), veteran of local Southend bands, vocalist Lee Brilleaux (d 7 April '94 of lymphoma), bassist John B. 'Sparko' Sparks. Took name from old Pirates B-side written by Willie Perryman; interspersed original tunes with covers of Chuck Berry, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson etc. Backed Heinz ('60s pop star, ex-Tornados) for a while; drummer 'Bandsman' Howarth, pianist John Potter replaced by drummer John 'The Big Figure' Martin; went to London circuit from native Southend and helped revive pub-rock scene with a manic act, Johnson wielding Telecaster like a machine gun as Brilleaux bawled and blew harmonica. The rough sound failed to translate to discs (Down On The Jetty in honest mono, Malpractice in stereo, both '75) until live Stupidity released '76, a surprise no. 1 LP UK as punk rock hovered in the wings. Early punk bands (Joe Strummer's 101ers, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Boomtown Rats etc) were infl. by Feelgoods' stripped-down sound and anti-fashion image. Johnson was a talented writer and a useful foil for Brilleaux; after Sneakin' Suspicion '77 he left after a row during recording of Be Seeing You '77 (prod. by Nick Lowe). John 'Gypie' Mayo (John Cawthra) replaced him with a more mainstream style. Private Practice '78 incl. Lowe's 'Milk And Alcohol', their only top ten hit. After As It Happens and Let It Roll '79 there was less commercial success but constant touring; the live pull was still strong. Mayo retired after A Case Of The Shakes '80, third live LP On The Job '81, replaced by ex-Count Bishop Johnny Guitar; Casebook '81 was a compilation; Fast Women And Slow Horses '82 might have been the end, but they were still clocking up 250 gigs a year: Sparks and Martin left '82 due to road fatigue; Doctor's Orders '84 had gravel-voiced Brilleaux as the only original member, with Gordon Russell, guitar; Phil Mitchell, bass; Kevin Morris, drums. Classic '87 saw them on Stiff, a label Brilleaux had helped form '76 with a loan; best in years was Brilleaux '89 on EMI, incl. songs by Johnny Cash and John Hiatt. He formed Grand Records late '80s for reissues; by '90 Steve Walwyn had replaced Russell on guitar for Live In London. The band had a loyal following in the USA, though none of the albums charted there. Pete Gage replaced Brilleaux on vocals and harmonica, the band still going in the '90s with no original members: just four middle-aged men playing the hell out of R&B because they love it.

Johnson was also still at it in the '90s, a purist exponent describing himself as a 'semi-ex-name guitarist'; he formed the Solid Senders, recorded for Virgin, eventually settled with sidemen Norman Watt-Roy and Salvatore Ramundo, playing the world's club circuit and releasing the occasional album on obscure labels like Sky Dog, Waterfront, Barbed Wire Blues '88 on Jungle, Ice On The Motorway '91 on Hound Dog.