List of Dr. Feelgood members
Dr. Feelgood are an English pub rock band from Canvey Island, Essex. Formed in January 1971, the group originally consisted of lead vocalist, harmonicist and slide guitarist Lee Brilleaux (real name Lee Collinson), lead guitarist and second vocalist Wilko Johnson (real name John Wilkinson), bassist John B. "Sparko" Sparks, pianist John Potter and drummer Terry "Bandsman" Howarth. The group's current line-up feature drummer Kevin Morris (since 1983), bassist and guitarist Phil H. Mitchell (from 1983 to 1991, and since 1995), lead vocalist and harmonicist Robert Kane (since 1999) and lead guitarist Gordon Russell (from 1983 to 1989 and since 2021),
History[edit]
1971–1983[edit]
Brilleaux, Johnson, Sparks, Potter and Howarth formed Dr. Feelgood in January 1971, although by April both Potter and Howarth had left, with John "The Big Figure" Martin taking over on drums.[1][2] This line-up released three studio albums and one live collection, before Johnson left on 2 April 1977 due to tensions with other members of the band.[3][4] Before a full-time replacement was found, the group performed a handful of shows with substitute guitarist Henry McCullough and keyboardist Tim Hinkley.[5] By the end of the month, Johnson had been replaced on a permanent basis by John Mayo,[6] who was later nicknamed "Gypie" by Brilleaux after he told the guitarist that he "always had the gyp".[7] Sneakin' Suspicion, the last album to feature Johnson, was released after the change in personnel.[6]
After spending nearly four years in the band, Mayo left Dr. Feelgood in early 1981 and was replaced by Johnny "Guitar" Crippen of the Count Bishops in June.[8] Just one release followed, Fast Women and Slow Horses, after which the group suffered a major setback when the long-standing rhythm section of Sparks and Martin left in April 1982.[9] Brilleaux and Crippen completed a pre-booked European tour with stand-in bassist Pat McMullen and drummer Buzz Barwell, before disbanding the group at the end of the year.[10] Just three months later, however, Brilleaux – persuaded by band manager Chris Fenwick[9] – relaunched Dr. Feelgood with new lead guitarist Gordon Russell (who had auditioned for Mayo's vacated role two years earlier),[8] bassist Phil H. Mitchell and, later, drummer Kevin Morris.[11][12]
1983 onward[edit]
The line-up of Brilleaux, Russell, Mitchell and Morris released four studio albums between 1984 and 1987.[9] However, after touring for the first three months of 1989, Russell took a temporary leave of absence from the band when his infant daughter died of cot death syndrome.[13] Former guitarist Gypie Mayo returned for a string of dates as the band continued their European tour, before Russell left permanently after a short French run in May and Steve Walwyn joined in his place.[13] In 1991, during the recording of the band's first album in four years, Primo, Mitchell left Dr. Feelgood; the recordings were completed by temporary fill-in Ben Connelly and later Dave Bronze.[14] Craig Rhind took over for the subsequent touring cycle when Bronze was unavailable due to commitments with Procol Harum.[15]
During the recording of The Feelgood Factor in 1993, front-man Brilleaux was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.[16] The band ceased touring as a result, but performed a final pair of shows on 24 and 25 January 1994 at their own Dr. Feelgood Music Bar in Canvey Island, which was recorded for the live album Down at the Doctors.[17] Ian Gibbons performed on keyboards at the shows.[18] Just over two months later, on 7 April 1994, Brilleaux died of his illness at the age of 41.[19] Following the death of Brilleaux, Dr. Feelgood disbanded, before returning in June 1995 with new singer Pete Gage joining returning members Walwyn, Mitchell and Morris.[20] A live album On the Road Again was issued in 1996,[9] Gage left in August 1999 and former Animals II singer Robert Kane took his place.[21]
On 16 June 2021, it was announced that Walwyn was "unavailable to play live shows for the foreseeable future".[22] Later concerts were played by former guitarist Gordon Russell,[23] whom Walwyn had replaced 32 years before.
Members[edit]
Current[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil H. Mitchell |
|
|
| |
| Gordon Russell |
|
|
| |
| Kevin Morris |
|
|
| |
| Robert Kane | 1999–present |
|
|
Former[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Brilleaux (Lee Collinson) |
|
|
| |
| John B. "Sparko" Sparks | 1971–1982 |
|
| |
| Wilko Johnson (John Wilkinson) |
1971–1977 (died 2022) |
|
| |
| John Potter | 1971 | piano | none | |
| Terry "Bandsman" Howarth | drums | |||
| John "The Big Figure" Martin | 1971–1982 |
|
| |
| Gypie Mayo (John Cawthra) |
1977–1981 (substitute 1989) (died 2013) |
|
| |
| Johnny "Guitar" Crippen | 1981–1982 |
| ||
| Buzz Barwell |
|
drums | none | |
| Pat McMullen | 1982 | bass | ||
| Dave Bronze |
|
|
| |
| Craig Rhind | 1991–1992 | bass | none | |
| Pete Gage | 1995–1999 |
|
On the Road Again (1996) | |
| Steve Walwyn | 1989–1994 1995–2021 |
|
all Dr. Feelgood releases from Live in London (1990) to On the Road Again (1996) Chess Masters (2000) Speeding Thru Europe (2003) Live in London (2005) Repeat Prescription (2006) Live 1990 (2013) |
Touring[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Hinkley | 1977 | keyboards | McCullough and Hinkley performed a handful of dates with Dr. Feelgood following Wilko Johnson's departure.[5] | |
| Henry McCullough | 1977 (died 2016) | lead guitar | ||
| Barry Martin | 1988 | The Hamsters guitarist Martin performed at several Dr. Feelgood shows in 1988 in place of Gordon Russell.[24] | ||
| Ian Gibbons | 1994 (died 2019) | keyboards | Gibbons performed at Lee Brilleaux's last two shows in January 1994,[18] as well as on several studio albums.[25] |
Timeline[edit]
Lineups[edit]
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| January – April 1971 |
|
none |
| April 1971 – April 1977 |
|
|
| April 1977 – March 1981 |
|
|
| June 1981 – April 1982 |
|
|
| April – December 1982 |
|
none |
| Band inactive December 1982 – March 1983 | ||
| March – May 1983 |
|
none |
| May 1983 – May 1989 |
|
|
| June 1989 – March 1991 |
|
|
| March – September 1991 |
|
|
| September 1991 – May 1992 |
|
none |
| May 1992 – April 1994 |
|
|
| Band inactive April 1994 – June 1995 | ||
| June 1995 – August 1999 |
|
|
| August 1999 – June 2021 |
|
|
| June 2021 – present |
| |
References[edit]
- ^ Warburg, John (October 2009). "Early Days of Dr. Feelgood". Slim's Blues. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. London, England: Omnibus Press. p. 782. ISBN 978-0857125958. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Music Now!" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 71. Medford Lakes, New Jersey: The Hard Report, Inc. p. 34. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Wilko Johnson: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ a b "McCullough to join Feelgoods?" (PDF). Record Mirror. London, England: Spotlight Magazine Distribution. 16 April 1977. p. 4. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Son of Wilko" (PDF). Record Mirror. London, England: Spotlight Magazine Distribution. 23 April 1977. p. 4. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ Grow, Kory (23 October 2013). "Gypie Mayo, Dr. Feelgood Guitarist, Dead at 62". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Strummin' thru' the years". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d Scott-Irvine, Henry. "Prophets From The Pub". Record Collector. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Dr Feelgood Band History". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Lee Brilleaux - Interview December 1989". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Phil Mitchell answers the Dr Feelgood questionnaire". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ a b Howe, Zoë (3 November 2015). Lee Brilleaux: Rock'n'Roll Gentleman – The Adventures of Dr Feelgood's Iconic Frontman. Edinburgh, Scotland: Birlinn. pp. 231–232. ISBN 978-0857902641. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Dave. "Primo - Dr. Feelgood: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Dave Bronze answers the Dr Feelgood questionnaire". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ Howe, Zoë (3 November 2015). Lee Brilleaux: Rock'n'Roll Gentleman – The Adventures of Dr Feelgood's Iconic Frontman. Edinburgh, Scotland: Birlinn. pp. 242–244. ISBN 978-0857902641. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Down at the Doctors - Dr. Feelgood: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Snippets of Feelin' Good Issue 9/October 1997". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Lee Brilleaux, 41, British Blues Singer". New York Times. 9 April 1994. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "British blues musician and artist Pete Gage talks about the harmony, beauty and peacefulness in the world". Michael Limnios Blues Network. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Dr Feelgood Announcements, News & Gossip: August 03, 1999". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. 3 August 1999. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Steve". drfeelgood.org. drfeelgood.org. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Dr Feelgood With Special Guests Dave Thomas Band". ipswichtheatres.ticketsolve.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Dr Feelgood Past Gigs Archive". Dr Feelgood: The Archive. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Ian Gibbons". Dr. Feelgood. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2020.