We’re doing the Albert Hall, then we’re going to Japan and then we’re probably going to make an album.” What do you do? Just stop doing gigs and everyone forgets about you. You know, you can’t retire really when you’re a musician. So yeah, you know, what else can you do? I was seventy this year and normally people have retired and that, I think. “Well, honestly I’ve kind of found I’m a miserable so and so actually and now, the only time I’m actually happy is when I’m playing. Do you think you’ll ever slow down or are you going to keep this pace up? The last year or two has been busy for you: autobiography, release of your compilation I Keep It To Myself, tours and preparation for the Royal Albert Hall show. I like to look at the sun.” He gestures to the window, as rain drizzles down the pane. “This is actually a lunar telescope,” Wilko Johnson says, pointing to the large instrument near his window. We met with Wilko Johnson ahead of this show to discuss his songwriting process, recording philosophy and influences. Since then he’s released an autobiography and is now preparing for his first headline show at the Royal Albert Hall (26 Sept). During this time, Johnson recorded and released an acclaimed album, Going Back Home, with Roger Daltrey. However, if you’re not familiar with his music, the name will ring a bell following the terminal cancer diagnosis he received in 2012, and subsequent recovery. You might recognise his distinctive choppy guitar style, in which he simultaneously plays the lead and rhythm sections.
Listen to She Does It Right the riff, the simplicity, the drive – it’s three and a half minutes of proto-punk heaven. The fast-paced songs he created in the 1970’s with Dr Feelgood, along with his guitar playing style, energy, attitude and stage persona, undeniably influenced the punk movement. I’m sitting across from someone who unexpectedly changed the course of music. Image by Quercusrobur1 We caught up with a songwriting legend, one whose influence began over 40 years ago and is still felt today The Inspiration award was given to the Scottish Rock band Simple Minds and the Hero award went to the Charlatans, who dedicated the award to the former band members Rob Collins, who died in 1996, and Jon Brookes, who died last year.Wilko Johnson is one of the most influential songwriters to pick up a guitar, and feature in the sign of a bar. But we’ve done our own research and reckon it’s one in 50 but it’s owned by the sort of people who drink and use class A drugs so they forget they’ve got it so go out and buy it again, so end up with 25 to 50 copies of it.” Picking up the award for classic album, given to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, the band’s drummer, Nick Mason, said: “There is that figure that one in three households in England has a copy of this record. It was also an occasion that paid tribute to various lead acts of the British music industry. Other artists recognised at this year’s Q awards included Sam Smith, named best new act, Ed Sheeran, best solo artist, and St Vincent, given the Maverick award. Sam Smith, winner of the best new act at the Q awards. It’s amazing to spend every day doing something you love, and so to get an award for it is fab.” I still think that, so I’d like to accept this award on behalf of all British guitar players. “When I was a little boy I always thought that guitar bands were the best things in the world and I thought the best thing to be in a band is a guitar player. The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr was presented with the Gibson Les Paul award by Bradley Wiggins, the champion cyclist. Picking up the band’s second award, he added: “Best Act in the world? Fuck yeah.” You know this year I ran over my dad and he survived, so this award is for my old man. The Leicester rock band, who this year headlined the Glastonbury festival, beat Kate Bush in both categories, defying predictions that she would win the awards following the success of her recent successful comeback tour.Įmbracing the Libertines band members Carl Barat and Gary Powell, who presented the award for best live act, Kasabian’s frontman, Tom Meighan, said: “Can I just thank for everyone who helped make this record and touring and all that kind of shit. Kasabian walked away with two of the top accolades as the ceremony handed them the prizes of best act in the world today, and best live act. Kasabian, winners of the best act award at the Q awards.
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