Wilko Johnson won’t reschedule the last two shows of his farewell tour, he’s confirmed.
It means his appearance on BBC TV on Saturday, to mark the closure of the broadcaster’s former London HQ, was his last-ever performance. And conditions at the event are what led to the terminal cancer victim calling off his final gigs in Canvey Island.
His management reported on Sunday that Johnson had cancelled for health reasons. Now the former Dr Feelgood guitarist has stated he won’t return to the stage after guesting with Madness at Saturday’s outdoor concert.
He tells Echo News: “I only performed one song, but it was freezing. The wind was blowing up an absolute gale. It was whipping into my face – how Madness performed for an hour I have no idea. It was very very, very cold; and I think this is why I feel down.”
The 65-year-old announced in January that he’d been told his pancreatic cancer was terminal. He decided not to opt for painful treatment and instead announced a farewell UK tour, and he’s still aiming to record one more album and release a live DVD.
“It is really upsetting not to perform for the people of Canvey at the end,” he says. “I really wish I could have done it. If one little bit of me thought it was possible I would have done it.”
Johnson’s guest spot with Madness can be seen via BBC iPlayer in the UK for the rest of the week.
-Classic Rock
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