![]() There were some people Wilko has wanted to work with for ages, including Roger Daltrey. He readily admits to having his own heroes - bass player Norman Watt Roy of the Blockheads was one - and other musicians like Paul Weller cite him as a major influence. His guitar playing was, and is, awesome but I think what is so good about Wilko is his personable and honest approach to life. His manic, feet-shuffling traversal of the stage at lightning speed became both a source of amusement and admiration. Feelgood, then with Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Though I had not met him, Wilko had always “been there.” As one of the seminal guitarists of the pre-punk and post-punk eras, Wilko Johnson’s style set the tone for many to follow and for me, he was part of the background to my youthful flirtations with music - first with Dr. Yet, when I heard how ill he was, I felt upset. Feelgood or Wilko all my life, or anything. To be frank, it was not as if I had followed Dr. Then, maybe something about my reaction or his own feelings made him share much more than I had bargained for - the fact Wilko had pancreatic cancer, which was terminal, and that I must not tell anyone for the moment. He told me that Wilko Johnson was doing very poorly but that he couldn’t tell me much more. One of them was a music producer, and inevitably we got talking about music, groups he had managed and personalities. Roger Daltrey and band live at the Brighton Centre 22.6.On Boxing Day 2012, I sat in my friend’s lounge enjoying a post-Christmas get together and the company of other friends. ‘After The Fire’ gets a very vibey accompaniment from Jody inverting an impressively long rain stick. These days, of course, you would stand out more by not having any tattoos. Roger explains that when he was a lad you were discouraged from getting tattoos, because “the police will be able to recognise you”. I haven’t heard it for years, and it’s splendid fun, performed in a sparse arrangement of voices and dancing guitar arpeggios. ‘Tattoo’ is a slightly less well known track from 1967’s ‘The Who Sell Out’. The hook is punctuated with big hits by Ben on the kit and percussionist Jody, who is whacking an absolutely enormous kettledrum. ![]() It’s a lovely song, and beautifully performed. Of course it’s ‘Giving it All Away’, a Top 5 single taken from the first solo album, back in 1973. We’re told that the next song originated in Brighton, written by Leo Sayer and Dave Courtney, who is apparently in the audience tonight. Roger Daltrey band live at the Brighton Centre 22.6.22 (click pic to enlarge!) It is a slower and more reflective piece. ‘Jericho’ is from the earlier ‘Love And Murder’ collection, which is amusingly described as being “a family album”. Steve lives there too, though when pressed he admits to being originally from Hull in Yorkshire. She is from New York City, which is obvious from her accent. Leslie has a good line in between-song banter, which comes in handy whilst tuning. The opening number, which we’re told is new, is a brisk and rather enjoyable piece of bluesy folk-pop. He also adds some impressive backing vocals. She introduces herself and accompanying guitarist Steve McEwan, who launches a catchy riff on a red semi-acoustic with a fairly dirty sound. On stage she sports a patterned dress and a jumbo acoustic, and has a harmonica clamped in a holder. She supported The Who on some American dates earlier this year, and has continued to the UK with Roger. Her album ‘If You Can’t Say Anything Nice’ was released in 2020, right at the start of the pandemic, so doubtless it’s good to have the opportunity to play the songs live. Tour support comes from singer songwriter Leslie Mendelson. Leslie Mendelson live at the Brighton Centre 22.6.22 (click pic to enlarge!)
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