...The
Story...
Formed
in 1971, Dr. Feelgood from Canvey Island blazed a trail through the sea
of Prog Rock tedium that was threatening to engulf the music scene in the
UK in the early - mid '70's. They brought their intense brand of Raw R&B
out of The Thames Delta and took it to the world, releasing some classic
albums in the process.The band - Lee Brilleaux on Vocals, Wilko Johnson on Guitar, John B. Sparks (aka 'Sparko') on Bass and John Martin (aka 'The Big Figure') on Drums - were managed by Chris Fenwick, whom had played with Lee in their late '60s band the 'Southside Jug Band'. Dr. Feelgood soon evolved into an electric live act, playing regularly in the area, and then making their first raid into the capital at the Tally Ho in 1973. With their formidable live reputation building all the time, they soon had a deal with United Artists, and put out their first recordings: the single 'Roxette' in late 1974, and the album 'Down by The Jetty' in 1975.
The
following Dr. Feelgood album, 'Malpractice', was released in late 1975,
and got to number 17 in the album charts and stayed there for 6 weeks. Returning
from a European trip, Clem Burke from Blondie famously played the album
to his friends on the burgeoning New York music scene, and his band members,
together with Richard Hell, the Ramones and many other friends were all
taken with Dr. Feelgood's raw and energetic sound. The band toured heavily
and their live show became legendary, so it seemed natural to capture this
and they did so on their next album, 'Stupidity'. The original LP had tracks
recorded in Sheffield and Southend and captured them at their peak. The
album went to No 1 and made history by being the first live album to ever
reach that spot. It also stayed in the charts for 9 weeks. (A DVD has subsequently
been released of Dr. Feelgood at The Kursaal - 'Going Back Home' - and is
recommended for showing the band at their live best.) 
Following
more heavy touring, including blitzkrieg shows in America and a classic
show in New York at The Bottom Line where they were supported by The Ramones,
another album was recorded, 'Sneakin' Suspicion'. Unfortunately, following
internal disagreements, Wilko left the band. The album was released in May
1977, and reached Number 10 in the charts, staying there for 6 weeks. New
Guitarist John 'Gypie' Mayo joined the band and they immediately went out
on a huge UK tour. The band recorded a new album - 'Be Seeing You' - which was released in October 1977. It did well, reaching number 55 in the album charts and stayed there for 3 weeks. Although the album and concurrent publicity photos displayed a theme inspired by the cult TV series, The Prisoner, the image on the cover of the album was actually taken at the legendary Canvey pub, the Admiral Jellicoe.
The
following album - 'Private Practice' - featured classic songs such as 'Down
at the Doctors' and the song that gave the band a Top Ten hit - 'Milk and
Alcohol' (written by Nick Lowe & Gypie Mayo, with the story that Nick Lowe
wrote the lyrics on a cigarette packet!) - the album was released in October
1978, reached number 41 in the album charts and stayed there for 5 weeks.
The high profile of 'Milk and Alcohol' afforded the band several TV slots
at the time and provided a great high point for the band. Gypie Mayo departed from Dr. Feelgood in 1981, and then despite several further line up changes, including the departure of Sparko and The Big Figure, the band carried on recording and always maintained an intense and prolific live schedule. From the '80's into the early '90's the band would always try and play a regular Christmas gig in the Southend area, at venues such as The Queens Hotel, The Cliffs Pavilion and The Pink Toothbrush. Sadly, legendary front man Lee Brilleaux died from cancer on April 7th, 1994 (Two days after Kurt Cobain's death). He had asked the remaining members to continue keeping the music alive, and a current version of the band is still touring. An annual Lee Brilleaux memorial concert is held on Canvey Island, with any profits from the night going to the Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff.
A brilliant film by Julien Temple about the very early days of the band, Oil City Confidential, premiered at the London Film Festival on October 22nd, 2009, and went on general release in 2010, with a special launch at Koko in Camden, and it is essential viewing for anyone interested in the band.
Select
Discography
'Down by The Jetty' - LP (United Artists - January 1975)
'Malpractice' - LP (United Artists - October 1975)
'Stupidity' - LP (United Artists - September 1976)
'Sneakin' Suspicion' - LP (United Artists - May 1977)
'Be Seeing You' - LP (United Artists - October 1977)
'Private Practice' - LP (United Artists - October 1978)
DVD
'Going Back Home' - (EMI - 2005)
'Oil City Confidential' - (Cadiz - 2010)
Book
'Looking Back At Me' by Wilko
Johnson & Zoe Howe - (Cadiz Music Ltd - 2012)
'Lee Brilleaux: Rock'n'roll Gentleman' by Zoe Howe - (Polygon
- 2015)
