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 1971–1983 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. 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. Before a full-time replacement was found, the group performed a handful of shows with substitute guitarist Henry McCullough and keyboardist Tim Hinkley. By the end of the month, Johnson had been replaced on a permanent basis by John Mayo, who was later nicknamed "Gypie" by Brilleaux after he told the guitarist that he "always had the gyp". Sneakin' Suspicion, the last album to feature Johnson, was released after the change in personnel.

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. 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. 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. Just three months later, however, Brilleaux – persuaded by band manager Chris Fenwick – relaunched Dr. Feelgood with new lead guitarist Gordon Russell (who had auditioned for Mayo's vacated role two years earlier), bassist Phil H. Mitchell and, later, drummer Kevin Morris.

1983 onward The line-up of Brilleaux, Russell, Mitchell and Morris released four studio albums between 1984 and 1987. 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. 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. 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. Craig Rhind took over for the subsequent touring cycle when Bronze was unavailable due to commitments with Procol Harum.

During the recording of The Feelgood Factor in 1993, front-man Brilleaux was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. 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. Ian Gibbons performed on keyboards at the shows. Just over two months later, on 7 April 1994, Brilleaux died of his illness at the age of 41. 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. A live album On the Road Again was issued in 1996, Gage left in August 1999 and former Animals II singer Robert Kane took his place.

On 16 June 2021, it was announced that Walwyn was "unavailable to play live shows for the foreseeable future". Later concerts were played by former guitarist Gordon Russell, whom Walwyn had replaced 32 years before.

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsPhil H. MitchellGordon RussellKevin MorrisRobert Kane1999–present

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsLee BrilleauxJohn B. "Sparko" Sparks1971–1982Wilko Johnson1971–1977 John Potter1971pianononeTerry "Bandsman" HowarthdrumsJohn "The Big Figure" Martin1971–1982Gypie Mayo1977–1981 Johnny "Guitar" Crippen1981–1982Buzz BarwelldrumsnonePat McMullen1982bassDave BronzeCraig Rhind1991–1992bassnonePete Gage1995–1999On the Road Again (1996)Steve Walwyn1989–1994 1995–2021all 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 ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsDetailsTim Hinkley1977keyboardsMcCullough and Hinkley performed a handful of dates with Dr. Feelgood following Wilko Johnson's departure.Henry McCullough1977 lead guitarBarry Martin1988The Hamsters guitarist Martin performed at several Dr. Feelgood shows in 1988 in place of Gordon Russell.Ian Gibbons1994 keyboardsGibbons performed at Lee Brilleaux's last two shows in January 1994, as well as on several studio albums.

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesJanuary – April 1971Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Wilko Johnson – lead guitar, backing vocals John B. Sparks – bass, backing vocals Terry "Bandsman" Howarth – drums John Potter – pianoApril 1971 – April 1977Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Wilko Johnson – lead guitar, piano, backing vocals John B. Sparks – bass, backing vocals The Big Figure – drums, percussion, backing vocalsDown by the Jetty (1975) Malpractice (1975) Stupidity (1976) Sneakin' Suspicion (1977) Live at the BBC 1974–5 (1994) BBC Sessions 1973–1978 (2001) Going Back Home (2005) Live at the BBC (2018)April 1977 – March 1981Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Gypie Mayo – lead guitar, backing vocals John B. Sparks – bass, backing vocals The Big Figure – drums, percussion, backing vocalsBe Seeing You (1977) Private Practice (1978) As It Happens (1979) Let It Roll (1979) A Case of the Shakes (1980) On the Job (1981) "Waiting for Saturday Night" (1981) BBC Sessions 1973–1978 (2001) Down at the BBC in Concert 1977–78 (2002) Live at Rockpalast (2013)June 1981 – April 1982Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Johnny Guitar – lead guitar, backing vocals John B. Sparks – bass, backing vocals The Big Figure – drums, percussion, backing vocalsFast Women and Slow Horses (1982) "Crazy About Girls" (1982)April – December 1982Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Johnny Guitar – lead guitar, backing vocals Pat McMullen – bass Buzz Barwell – drumsBand inactive December 1982 – March 1983March – May 1983Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Gordon Russell – lead guitar, backing vocals Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Buzz Barwell – drumsMay 1983 – May 1989Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Gordon Russell – lead guitar, backing vocals Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocalsDoctor's Orders (1984) Mad Man Blues (1985) Brilleaux (1986) Classic (1987) "Milk and Alcohol (New Recipe)" (1989)June 1989 – March 1991Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Steve Walwyn – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocalsLive in London (1990) Primo (1991) Live 1990 (2017)March – September 1991Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Steve Walwyn – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals Dave Bronze – bass, backing vocals Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocalsPrimo (1991) September 1991 – May 1992Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Steve Walwyn – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals Craig Rhind – bass Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocalsMay 1992 – April 1994Lee Brilleaux – lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar Steve Walwyn – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals Dave Bronze – bass, backing vocals Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocalsThe Feelgood Factor (1993) Down at the Doctors (1994)Band inactive April 1994 – June 1995June 1995 – August 1999Pete Gage – lead vocals, harmonica Steve Walwyn – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocalsOn the Road Again (1996)August 1999 – June 2021Robert Kane – lead vocals, harmonica Steve Walwyn – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocalsChess Masters (2000) Speeding Thru Europe (2003) Live in London (2005) Repeat Prescription (2006)June 2021 – presentRobert Kane – lead vocals, harmonica Gordon Russell – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocals

References

External links Dr. Feelgood official website