Extended Fond Farewell For Wilko Johnson

One of Britain’s most loved guitarists, Wilko Johnson, is to play a special show in South Yorkshire this weekend. The date follows his farewell tour, which he embarked on after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Johnson was renowned for his pub rock and rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood and still woos crowds today with his spring-lead guitar-playing panache.

He said: “It seems that I am still being spared from the final onslaught of my terminal cancer. I am feeling again the desire to get up on stage and do my thing while my health allows – so it is that I have decided to make some festival appearances during the summer.”

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January this year and was told that he only has nine to ten months to live. But the bad news hasn’t defeated the acclaimed guitarist. Instead of resigning to rest, he’s played packed-out shows across the country.

Johnson plays alongside blues singer Chantel McGregor and the much hailed Mostly Autumn, who were voted Best Band of 2012 in the Classic Rock Society poll, as well as Best Live Act and Best Album (Go Well Diamond Heart).

Also on the bill are Mickey Finn’s T-Rex, who play material mainly from T Rex’s mid- 70s period, The Brew and the Avit Blues Band.

Cusworth Hall Festival takes place at Cusworth Hall, Doncaster DN5 7TU, this Sunday August 25, noon to 10pm. Tickets are £19 advance and are available from See, Ticketweb and gigantic. Alternatively local promoter Chris Wilson has a limited supply and can be contacted at boardwalklive@btinternet.com.