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Lee Brilleaux - Vocals | |||||
Wilko Johnson - Guitar | ||||||
John B. Sparks ('Sparko') - Bass | ||||||
John Martin ('The Big Figure') - Drums | ||||||
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...The
Story...
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![]() 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 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. ![]() 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. |
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Dr. Feelgood - 'Videos' | ||||||
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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) |
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DVD |
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Book 'Looking Back At Me' by Wilko
Johnson & Zoe Howe - (Cadiz Music Ltd - 2012)
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Dr.
Feelgood - 'Going Back Home' DVD + CD To Order: * Click here * to Order from Amazon.co.uk * Click here * to Order from Amazon.com |
'Oil
City Confidential' DVD To Order: * Click here * to Order from Amazon.co.uk * Click here * to Order from Amazon.com |
'Looking
Back At Me' Book To Order: * Click here * to Order from Amazon.co.uk |
'Lee
Brilleaux: Rock'n'roll Gentleman' Book To Order: * Click here * to Order from Amazon.co.uk |