It was a strange thing, but it was a really nice feeling. On the subject of people liking it when you do your thing, how did you feel about the new direction guitar music took in the ’70s after more people heard the punk-style Dr Feelgood sound? I’m just happy to be performing, I just want to get on stage and scream “I’m alive now!” You must know me by now after all these years! I’m a one-trick pony man! I just love doing my thing, and fortunately people like it when I do my thing. Has this inspired any new songs for the tour? I’m so grateful for what they’ve done and the new life they’ve given me. I then ran into Charlie Chan, who at some point who basically directed me to the doctors at Addenbrooke’s, and when they cured me … wow! … I could’ve fallen to my knees and kissed the feet of every one of them. I’m not gonna waste time on miracle cures, but I’ll just make the most of what I’ve got” – and that’s what I did. You see, my outlook was always basically: “I’m gonna die. Then as soon as Roger heard I’d been diagnosed with cancer, he called me and said, “We’ve got to do this record now!” He came straight back into the country and we made it in eight days! It’s the quickest album I’ve ever made, I’ll tell you that.Īnd how does it feel to be able to hear the release now? We had several attempts at making it, but Roger’s a busy man and he was always whizzing off to America and whatnot, so it was sort of left on the burner. Well, about four or five years ago (before I got ill), I was chatting to Roger at this awards ceremony and he suggested making an album together. Speaking of the album with Roger, how did that come about? I just do what I have to do and I enjoy it. I’ve found myself really enjoying the fresh air, saying hello to my neighbours, all of that stuff. Then all of a sudden, the doctors from Addenbrooke’s Hospital told me that they could save my life, and they did! I’m just happy to be alive, and the only real fresh perspective I’ve got now is that everything after that is a bonus. The other thing is, I had so many things on my mind at the time, and I honestly thought this was the last thing I’d ever do I didn’t even expect to live to see it released. Well, the thing is, the last couple of years have just been so weird! It was quite an experience going from playing little clubs to making this album with Roger. You mentioned not so long ago that the last tour with Roger Daltrey may be the last thing you ever do, so how have you approached this one differently in light of everything? With gigs, you’ve got a commitment to get out there and do something you really enjoy. You know, there are some days when you’ve not got a gig and it’s like “what a beautiful day, man, let’s go and enjoy the sunshine!” but you just think “nah”. I suppose I’ve just been doing it so long that it’s become one of those things. I’ll be honest, I’ve only just this minute heard about this interview but I’ll try my best! Tom Green-Fuller heard the story straight from the horse’s mouth as he caught up with the Wilko ahead of his UK tour. The 69-year old is now cancer free and continuing to do what he loves best: playing loud, gutsy rock and roll to his fans. His friend, cancer specialist Charlie Chan, persuaded him to seek a second opinion, and following a radical 11-hour operation, a tumour the size of a baby was removed. Then, after embarking upon an emotional farewell tour and recording an album with Roger Daltrey, the miraculous happened. Feelgood guitarist was given just ten months to live. This pandemic has brought home to me what an important part of me singing is and it's made me determined to get back onstage asap.If there’s ever a man who brings a definition to the phrase “a new lease on life”, Wilko Johnson is that man.After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few years ago, the ex-Dr. “It's also clear that live music is an important part of all our lives, something to free us from the groundhog days that life has become. He continues: “It's important to get our road crew working again, without these guys the halls would go silent. I look forward to having closer contact with my audience than festivals and arenas allow. “On this tour I want to take the audience on a musical journey through my career as a singer, with a show of songs and sounds that explores and surprises. “Throughout my life I have sung with so many great musicians, from the heavy rock of The Who and Wilko Johnson, to the Irish lilt of The Chieftains. The Who were unfortunately forced to cancel their UK arena tour earlier this year due to the pandemic, and Roger says he can’t wait to get back on stage. Tickets to Roger Daltrey’s Who Was I? UK Tour go on sale from Planet Rock Tickets at 9am on Friday 10th September 2021.
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