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Dr. Feelgood
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Dr. Feelgood were an English pub rock band from Canvey Island in Essex. Guitarist Wilko Johnson, singer Lee Brilleaux, bassist John B. Sparks and drummer John Martin formed the band in 1971. The name comes from a 1962 record by the blues pianist Willie Perryman, also known as Piano Red, which was released under the name Dr. Feel-Good. Around 1973 they were one of the most popular groups on the London pub circuit. In 1974 they recorded their debut album Down by the Jetty.
Music and breakthrough
The breakthrough album was the live album Stupidity from 1976, which reached number one in England and was the group's only record to do so. In the United States the Ramones played in May 1976 as the support act for their performances at the Bottom Line in New York. After Sneakin' Suspicion in 1977 Johnson left the band after conflicts with Brilleaux, and Gypie Mayo took his place. With Mayo the group had their only top-ten single in 1979, Milk and Alcohol. Brilleaux kept the group going until he died of lymph node cancer in 1994.
Influence
The sound was raw British rhythm and blues, with Johnson's choppy guitar style as its hallmark and a bare, fast rhythm section. It was music for packed halls and pubs, without slick production. Dr. Feelgood were therefore regarded as a forerunner of punk, a line that Julien Temple's 2009 film Oil City Confidential also follows.
Listening
Discography
Studio albums
- 1975Down by the Jetty
- 1975Malpractice
- 1977Be Seeing You
- 1977Sneakin’ Suspicion
- 1978Private Practice
- 1980A Case of the Shakes
- 1984Doctors Orders
- 1985Mad Man Blues
- 1986Brilleaux
- 1987Classic
- 1988Doctors Orders
- 1988Fast Women Slow Horses
- 1989Let It Roll
- 1991Primo
- 1993The Feelgood Factor
- 1996On the Road Again
- 2000Chess Masters
- 2006Repeat Prescription
- 2010Oil City Confidential (soundtrack)
- 2022Damn Right!
- ?Dr. Feelgood