Dr.

Feelgood (band)
For other uses of the term, see Dr. Feelgood (disam- band was never as popular as with Johnson, but still enbiguation).
joyed their only Top Ten hit single in 1979, with "Milk
and Alcohol". Johnson never achieved any great success
Dr. Feelgood are a British pub rock band formed in outside of the band, apart from a brief spell with Ian Dury
and The Blockheads from 1980. Fans always speculated
1971. Hailing from Canvey Island, Essex, they are best
known for early singles like "Back in the Night" and about a return by Johnson that never occurred.
"Roxette". The groups original distinctively British R&B
sound was centred on Wilko Johnson's choppy guitar
style. Along with Johnson, the original band line-up included singer Lee Brilleaux and the rhythm section of
John B. Sparks, known as Sparko, on bass guitar[1] and
John Martin, known as The Big Figure, on drums. Although their most commercially productive years were
the early to mid-1970s, and in spite of Brilleauxs death in
1994 of lymphoma, a version of the band (featuring none
of the original members) continues to tour and record to
this day.

1
1.1

Career
Early years

The band was formed in Canvey Island in 1971 by Johnson, Brilleaux and Sparks, who had all been members
of existing R&B bands, and soon added drummer John
Martin. They took their name from a 1962 record by the
American blues pianist and singer Willie Perryman (also
known as Piano Red) called Dr. Feel-Good, which
Perryman recorded under the name of Dr. Feelgood &
The Interns. The song was covered by several British beat
groups in the 1960s, including Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. The term is also a slang term for heroin or for a
doctor who is willing to overprescribe drugs.[2]
By late 1973, the bands driving R&B had made them one
of the most popular bands on the growing London pub
rock circuit, and they recorded their debut album, Down
by the Jetty, for United Artists in 1974.[3] Like many pub
rock acts, Dr Feelgood were known primarily for their
high energy live performances honed through constant
touring and regular performances, although their studio
albums like Down by the Jetty and Malpractice (1975)
were also popular.

Guitarist Steve Walwyn in Barcelona, 18 March 2009

1.2 Later years

Despite Mayos departure in 1981, and various subsequent line-up changes which left Brilleaux the only remaining original member, Dr Feelgood continued tourTheir breakthrough 1976 live album, Stupidity, reached ing and recording through the 1980s. However, the band
number one in the UK Albums Chart (their only chart- then suered an almost career-nishing blow when Briltopper). But after the follow-up Sneakin' Suspicion, John- leaux died of cancer on 7 April 1994.
son left the group because of conicts with Lee Brilleaux. As Brilleaux had insisted prior to his death, Dr Feelgood
He was replaced by John 'Gypie' Mayo. With Mayo, the reunited in May 1995, initially with vocalist Pete Gage
1

2
(not to be confused with guitarist Pete Gage of Geno
Washington and Vinegar Joe), and recommenced touring
in 1996. Though the band contained no original members
at this point, the musicians backing Gage had all previously played as members of Dr. Feelgood for at least ve
years, and in some cases for over a decade. In 1999 Gage
was replaced by Robert Kane, formerly of The Animals
II and The Alligators, who celebrated his 1,000th gig as
the frontman of Dr. Feelgood in April 2007.

PERSONNEL

landmarks from the bands career. These include the jetty

featured in the photograph on the bands rst album cover,
and venues where they played early in their career, such
as The Lobster Smack inn, The Monaco Nightclub and
The Canvey Club (disguised as 'The Alibi Club' on the
sleeve of the album Sneakin' Suspicion).[4]
A lm by Julien Temple about the early days of the
band, Oil City Condential, premiered at the London Film
Festival on 22 October 2009, and received a standing
ovation.[5] Guest of honour was Lee Brilleauxs mother
Joan Collinson, along with his widow Shirley and children
Kelly and Nick. All the surviving members of the original band were present along with manager Chris Fenwick,
former tour manager and Sti Records boss Jake Riviera
and other friends and colleagues of the band. The lm
has its own Facebook page.[6] Reviewing the lm for The
Independent, Nick Hasted concluded: Feelgood are remembered in rock history, if at all, as John the Baptists
to punks messiahs.[7] On general release from 1 February 2010, the lm was critically well received, with Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian describing it as "...a vivid
study of period, music and place.[8] The lm was rst
broadcast on BBC Four in April 2010.
A major exhibition of memorabilia celebrating the bands
career ran at The Canvey Club between May and July
2013, having been extended several times.[9]

2 Personnel
2.1 Current members
Kevin Morris (b. Kevin John Morris, London, 15 May
1955) [10] drums (March 1983 present)
P H (Phil) Mitchell (b. Philip Henry Mitchell, London,
19 March 1953) [11] bass (March 1983-March 1991,
May 1995-present)

Steve Walwyn (b. Stephen Martin Walwyn, Southam,

Warkwickshire, 8 June 1956) [12] lead guitar (June
Current vocalist Robert Kane performing in Barcelona, 18 March
2009

1989 present)

Robert Kane (b. 6 December 1954) [13] vocals (1999

present)
Every year since Brilleauxs death, a special concert
known as the Lee Brilleaux Birthday Memorial has been
held on Canvey Island, where former and current Feelgoods celebrate the music of Dr Feelgood, and raise money 2.2 Former members
for The Fair Havens Hospice in Westcli-on-Sea. Fans
Lee Brilleaux (b. Lee Collinson, 10 May 1952, Durban,
attend from all over the globe, and the 17th event was
South Africa, died 7 April 1994) [14] vocals, harmonheld on 7 May 2010. Still based in the UK, Dr Feelgood
ica, occasional slide guitar (January 1971-April 1994)
continue to play across the world, with concerts in 2010 in
Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Finland, France, the Nether John B Sparks[1] (b. 22 February 1953) [14] bass guilands, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
tar (January 1971 to April 1982)[15]
Band manager Chris Fenwick organises an annual walk
The Big Figure (b. John Martin, 8 November 1946) [14]
around Canvey to commemorate Brilleauxs life, as well
drums (January 1971-April 1982) [15]
as additional walking tours during which he points out

3
Wilko Johnson (b. John Wilkinson, 12 July 1947, Canvey Island) [14] lead guitar (January 1971-March 1977)
Gypie Mayo (b. John Phillip Cawthra, 24 July 1951,
Hammersmith, died 23 October 2013) lead guitar (April
1977-March 1981; substitute for Gordon Russell March
1989-April 1989)

Johnny Guitar lead guitar (March 1981-December

1982)

Buzz Barwell drums (April 1982-December 1982)

Pat McMullen bass (April 1982-December 1982)
Gordon Russell (born 4 June 1958, Hammersmith, West
London) lead guitar (March 1983-May 1989)
Dave Bronze bass (March 1991-September 1991,
May 1992-April 1994)

Craig Rhind bass (September 1991-May 1992)

Pete Gage (b. Peter Gage, 2 December 1946, St Marys
Hospital, Paddington, London) [16] vocals (May 1995September 1999)

Substitute musicians
Henry McCullough lead guitar (March 1977-April
1977; following Wilko Johnsons departure)

Barry Martin lead guitar (May 1989-June 1989; following Gordon Russells departure)

2.3

Timeline

Gallery
Robert Kane
Steve Walwyn
Phil Mitchell
Kevin Morris

UK discography

4.1

Albums

(Including compilations and retrospectives)

[19][20]

[1] The spelling is Sparks on all the album credits, but is

spelt Sparkes in a few references, and he is also known
as Sparko.
[2] Doctor Feelgood. Segens Medical Dictionary. 2012.
[3] Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Dr. Feelgood | Biography &
History. AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
[4] News | Review: Dr Feelgood Exhibition/Lee Brilleaux
Memorial Walk. The Quietus. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
[5] Oil City Condential release. Drfeelgood.org. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
[6] Oil City Condential - The Dr. Feelgood Story. Facebook. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
[7] The Dr Feelgood factor - Features - Music. The Independent. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
[8] Peter Bradshaw (4 February 2010). Oil City Condential. The Guardian (London). Retrieved 2011-11-05.
[9] New Dr Feelgood Exhibition Hits Canvey Island Every
record tells a story. Everyrecordtellsastory.com. 201306-07. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
[10] DR FEELGOOD - Kevin Morris Questionaire. Drfeelgood.de. 1955-05-15. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
[11] DR FEELGOOD - Phil Mitchell Questionaire. Drfeelgood.de. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
[12] DR FEELGOOD - Steve Walwyn Questionaire. Drfeelgood.de. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
[13] DR FEELGOOD - Robert Kane Questionaire. Drfeelgood.de. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
[14] Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.).
London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p. 128. ISBN 085112-072-5.
[15] Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.).
London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 368. CN
5585.
[16] Warburg, John. Early Days Dr Feelgood. Slimsblues.
Retrieved 4 September 2010.
[17] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th
ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 162.
ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
[18] Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2013-06-25). Taking No
Prisoners (With Gypie 1977-1981) - Dr. Feelgood |
Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. AllMusic. Retrieved
2013-08-06.
[19] Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography
(5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 290292. ISBN
1-84195-017-3.

[19]

4.2

5 References

Singles

[20] Moon, Tony (2002). Down By The Jetty The Dr Feelgood Story (2nd ed.). Borden, Hants: Northdown Publishing Ltd. pp. 122123. ISBN 1-900711-15-X.

Bibliography
Jost, Roland; Nttil, Teppo, Mkinen, Rauno
From Roxette To Ramona, Dr Feelgood And Wilko
Johnson On Record ISBN 3-033-00460-1
Down By The Jetty The Dr Feelgood Story by Tony
Moon Northdown Publishing 1997 (Rev 2002)
ISBN 1-900711-15-X

External links
Ocial website
Wilko Johnson ocial site
Archive of former ocial website
Hometown website
Dr. Feelgood biography at the Allmusic.com website
2006 interview with Wilko Johnson
Ocial site of the Julien Temple lm on the early
years
Review of Oil City Condential movie

EXTERNAL LINKS

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

8.1

Text

Dr. Feelgood (band) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Feelgood_(band)?oldid=683818495 Contributors: Tarquin, Koyaanis

Qatsi, Sjc, Ortolan88, Quercusrobur, Olivier, Someone else, Goatasaur, Ahoerstemeier, TUF-KAT, Timwi, Dysprosia, Lumos3, Bearcat,
Robbot, Pigsonthewing, Altenmann, Nurg, Corneydavid, The Undertones, Rdb, Rich Farmbrough, Surachit, Nk, Brilleaux, Jdcooper,
Rjwilmsi, Rogerd, Sdornan, Brighterorange, FlaBot, Gdrbot, YurikBot, RussBot, Fnorp, Welsh, Wknight94, Paul Magnussen, Shyam,
Thomas Blomberg, Zanoni, SmackBot, Mira, Ilikeeatingwaes, Achmelvic, Jerome Charles Potts, Nixeagle, Konczewski, Greenshed, Iapetus, Derek R Bullamore, Wikiklaas, Stonkin, Ohconfucius, RGCorris, Euchiasmus, Monni95, E-Kartoel, Hu12, Istanbuljohnm, Iridescent, Disambiguator, Wazzaiac, CmdrObot, MFlet1, ELOdry, Cydebot, Chris Henniker, MarkBuckles, Rrose Selavy, Dawkeye, Ghmyrtle,
MER-C, Roterbaron, Rothorpe, Dekimasu, Geozapf, Froid, Davepoth, Keith D, Colinkilgour, WebHamster, Simon Curtis, Coziluvu,
Steel1943, PeaceNT, Bluesfoz, Dom Kaos, Martinevans123, Mynameispiers, Rei-bot, IllaZilla, Prawnboy, Oneblackline, Dick Shane,
Moonriddengirl, Tomw1991, Lightmouse, Escape Orbit, Cloonmore, Rodhullandemu, Lonegroover, Mattgirling, Fac13, Bpfastball, Swanrizla, Arjayay, Sir James D, XLinkBot, SlayerXT, WikHead, Jaybee ok, Addbot, CarsracBot, JohnmacIn99, Tassedethe, Legobot, Yobot,
Ptbotgourou, Citation bot, Xqbot, Sabrebd, Retorcido, Saturn-78, FrescoBot, CHARGERLEVANI, Truthspeak, Petra76069, Tim1357,
Walkingtalkingmammal, Hasenlufer, DixonDBot, Dinamik-bot, MrX, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, The Pink Oboe, RjwilmsiBot, Clarkshark,
Hiddenstranger, Otisred, CactusBot, Ctfabian, MerlIwBot, Helpful Pixie Bot, Khazar2, DavidSolyom, Qxukhgiels, Mogism, CoeeWithMarkets, Synthwave.94, KasparBot, Vsbobclear and Anonymous: 98

8.2

Images

File:2009-03-26_Dr_Feelgood,_Spirit_of_66,_Verviers_IMG_7591.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/

6/6a/2009-03-26_Dr_Feelgood%2C_Spirit_of_66%2C_Verviers_IMG_7591.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 de Contributors: Own work
Original artist: Eckhard Henkel
File:Edit-clear.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/Edit-clear.svg License: Public domain Contributors: The
Tango! Desktop Project. Original artist:
The people from the Tango! project. And according to the meta-data in the le, specically: Andreas Nilsson, and Jakub Steiner (although
minimally).
File:R_Kane.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/R_Kane.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: http:
//www.flickr.com/photos/alterna2/3369126564 Original artist: alterna2
File:S_Walwyn.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/S_Walwyn.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alterna2/3368325033/in/set-72157615558781757/ Original artist: Alterna2

8.3

Content license

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0