LEGENDARY Canvey musician Wilko Johnson, who has terminal cancer, has revealed he won’t play again.
The musician was due to play two final gigs in Canvey - one of them with 80s singer Alison Moyet - but the 65-year-old had to cancel when he was feeling unwell.
He has been performing for more than 40 years with rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood but after cancelling the final two gigs of his farewell tour due to illness he has decided enough is enough.
Wilko, 65, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer before Christmas and had been touring the country to say goodbye to his loyal fans. His last gig was alongside 80s band Madness at the closure of BBC Television Centre in London last Friday.
He said the conditions that day were terrible and said they could be the reason for his poor health at the moment - with Wilko suffering from suspected flu.
“I only performed one song but it was freezing and the wing was blowing up an absolute gale. It was whipping into my face and 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."
Wilko was supposed to take to the stage at the sold out Oysterfleet Hotel in Canvey on Sunday and Monday night with Alison Moyet but called off the shows on Sunday afternoon as he had been unable to recover. He said he felt terribly sad not to perform the home gigs one last time.
“It is really upsetting not to perform for the people of Canvey at the end. I really wish I could have done it and if one little bit of me thought it was possible I would have done it."
Wilko refused chemotherapy when he found out he had cancer as he looks to enjoy the last three months of his life. He said he never thought he would look back on a career like his as he had never wanted to be a musician in his youth.
“I look back with puzzlement. I never intended to follow this path but it all just happened. I was caught up in the fabulous seventies and I have had a great life.
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