It should be noted that our conversation was postponed twice, due to Wilko feeling “wiped out,” according to his publicist in the UK. Wilko was kind enough to share a few minutes of his precious time to talk a bit about Going Back Home, blood on the pickguard, the stars in the sky, and the amazing experience of the last year. Going Back Home is not the work of a classic crooner doffing his top hat, singing “My Way” as the spotlight fades – this is Wilko Johnson saying “Goodbye” the same way he said “Hello” all those years ago: with Telecaster a’blazing. His bandmates on Going Back Home sound as if they’ve been energized with the same power that’s kept him going beyond the point that he was even expected to _ live_ – let alone rock ‘n’ roll. Wilko Johnson has looked his illness in the eye with that same unblinking stare that he’s played a lifetime of music with. Going Back Home’s lone cover is a powerful cover of Bob Dylan’s “Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window” – the entire band playing as if their very lives depended on it.
The title track kicks things off with a blast of slashing Telecaster and never looks back, with tunes ranging from the bluesy wail of “Keep On Loving You” and the hip-bump of “I Keep It To Myself” to the punk funk of “Keep On Loving You” and the album’s one “quiet” moment, the pensive “Turned 21”. And on vocals? Well, that would be another old-schooler: Roger Daltrey, whom you may know from his years with another band of ruffians, The Who.ġ0 of the 11 songs on Going Back Home are fresh takes on Wilko-penned classics. Going Back Home finds the guitarist joined by longtime wingmen Norman Watt-Roy (bass) and Dylan Howe (drums), along with veteran keyboardist Mick Talbot and blues harpman Steve Weston. Johnson says the decision was an easy one: he declined any treatments, strapped on his Telecaster, and started playing as much rock ‘n’ roll as he had time for.īesides live shows (“We did our ‘farewell tour’,” says Wilko with a laugh “Now we just do tours.”), Johnson made the time to record a studio album. You could attempt to look his style up, but there’s no point – Wilko wrote the book.įast-forward to January of 2013: diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, Johnson was told he would be dead by October – with the possibility of extending things a bit if he wanted to undergo chemotherapy. Bare-handed and wielding his picking arm like a crazed lumberjack, Johnson proved that one man and a black Telecaster could construct a wall of roaring chords, somehow firing off wailing leads in the midst of it like a sniper atop his perch. Mad-eyed and unblinking, lurching/darting/back-and-forthing about the stage, Johnson introduced the world to his own brand of rhythm/lead guitar. Feelgood, his image has been as unique as his guitar playing. album charts.īut the 66-year-old Johnson has never done things quite like anyone else.įrom the first moment Johnson caught the public’s eye back in the early 70s with the British pub rockers Dr. If you haven’t already got your tickets, go to simple fact of the matter is Wilko Johnson isn’t supposed to be with us at this point – let alone playing slam-banging, foot-stomping rock ‘n’ roll with a new album that debuted at the number three spot on the U.K. Roger’s special guest on all twelve shows will be Leslie Mendelson. On drums, Ben Townshend, son of Simon T, who has played on several of Simon’s albums and albums by The Cornerstones.Īnd who else but. Steve is the harp player of choice for Mud Morganfield (Muddy Water’s son) when Morganfield plays shows in the UK. Steve ‘West’ Weston – one of Britain’s top blues harp players – you’ll know him from the Going Back Home album which Roger made with Wilko Johnson.
Likewise, Billy Nicholls, a major part of The Who family for so many years. Jody Linscott, a regular on Who shows and solo shows for both Roger and Pete. John Hogg on bass, from Indie band Moke, known, appropriately enough, for their 1990s single, ‘My Degeneration’. Geraint Watkins, Welshman and king of the keyboards, has played for Dave Edmunds, Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler and Slim Chance. Simon Townshend, brother of Pete, you will, of course, know very well from countless Who shows.ĭoug Boyle on guitar Doug played guitar for several years with Robert Plant and has played for Nigel Kennedy and in recent years has been a member of Caravan. With just nine days until the first night of Roger’s UK tour, we’re pleased to announce the members of his band for these twelve shows.
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