And so Wilko Johnson has gone. Thankfully a good few years after he thought he might.
Don’t worry about any lack of interest you may have in (his) music, this extraordinary film is about so much that’s vital, the nature of being confronted with our temporary nature and affirms life so loudly and beautifully I think I’ve encouraged everyone I’ve ever known towards it.
Please give it 5 minutes: that’s all it’ll take.
I saw Wilko on my 30th birthday in a small venue, with two of the Blockheads completing the band. He came on machine-gunning his guitar as ever, eyes wide, and tripped - falling forward and sideways - playing as he did, righting himself with a grin, the music undiluted. It seemed very Wilko.
A one off. RIP.
Thank you so much, Mark. Wilko was a truly excellent human being and I will miss him.
Thank you Mark, a spark has gone out today