Wilko Johnson Talks About How To Beat Cancer LISTEN
Wilko Johnson photo by David Coombes, Noise11, Photo

Wilko Johnson photo by David Coombes

Wilko Johnson Talks About How To Beat Cancer LISTEN

by Music-News.com on November 22, 2014

in News

Wilko Johnson was on the BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show Friday morning and discussed his incredible recovery from terminal pancreatic cancer.

It was quite an emotional chat, check out the quotes below or click below to hear it direct.

At the beginning of 2013 the Dr. Feelgood guitarist was told he had 10 months to live and was at peace with his diagnosis before setting out to create his final album with The Who’s Roger Daltrey. Johnson said “…when Roger heard I’d got cancer he said ‘we’ll do that record’ and I said ‘we better do it quick!'”

Referring to what he believed was going to be his final year, Johnson said “I had a marvelous year last year, there’s nothing like the imminence of death to make you realize you’re alive.”

Johnson continues “And then right on top of that, the surgeons at Addenbrooke’s decided that they could have a go at this tumor, and they did.”

“I think it took about 10 or 11 hours or something and they took this tumor out of me. This tumor weighed three kilos, that’s the size of a baby. I’d been carrying this thing on stage with me all year, my guitar used to stick out. My guitar used to rock on this tumor. Rocking away like a rocker! So, no, I shouldn’t be here at all.”

Speaking of his recovery he says “It’s hard, steadily my health is recovering. I’m getting my strength and my weight back. The difficult thing now is readjusting mentally.”

more from music-news.com

Related Posts

Bruce Springsteen Tracks II
Bruce Springsteen To Release Mega’Tracks II’ Box

Bruce Springsteen will release an 11 LP / 7 CD rarities 'Tracks II' featuring what is called 'Tracks II: The Lost Albums'.

8 hours ago
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath photo by Ros OGorman
Sharon Osbourne Suggest A Black Sabbath Hologram Show Is Possible

Sharon Osbourne is open to a Black Sabbath hologram show.

1 day ago
Shane Nicholson
Jeff Martin, Shane Nicholson and Richie Lewis To Perform ‘Celebrating Neil Young From Harvest To Harvest Moon’

Jeff Martin of The Tea Party, Shane Nicholson and Tumbleweed’s Richie Lewis will present a tribute to Neil Young ‘Celebrating Neil Young: From Harvest To Harvest Moon’ in August and September.

2 days ago
Russell Morris
Russell Morris Announces ‘The Farewell Tour’

After almost 60 years of touring, rock and blues legend Russell Morris has announced what he is calling ‘The Farewell Tour’ but “never” is such a finite word.

2 days ago
REO Speedwagon, Noise11, Photo
Kevin Cronin Is Mighty Pissed REO Speedwagon Are Doing A Show Without Him

REO Speedwagon have announced a one-off show in June without singer and founding member Kevin Cronin and Cronin is mighty pissed about it.

4 days ago
David Bowie's childhood home in 1953 in Bromley
David Bowie Childhood Home In London For Sale

David Bowie’s childhood home in Bromley in Greater London is up for sale.

March 28, 2025
Billy Joel at the MCG 10 December 2022 photo by Bron Robinson
A Billy Joel Doco Is In The Works

A two-part documentary about the life and work of Billy Joel will be released later this year.

March 28, 2025