WILKO JOHNSON, legendary guitarist with Canvey Island pub rock pioneers DR. FEELGOOD, and ROGER DALTREY, lead singer of rock giants THE WHO are to release a joint album, Going Back Home, on March 10th through the world famous Chess label which has been resurrected especially for the purpose.

The album features 11 tracks, ten of which are Wilko originals from both his Dr. Feelgood days and solo years, whilst the sole cover on the album is a version of BOB DYLAN’s Highway 61 Revisited classic 'Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window'. Wilko and Roger will be performing tracks from the album at a very special one off show at The O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on February 25th.

The album’s roots began in 2010 when Roger and Wilko found themselves sitting together at an awards ceremony talking about raucous old school British rhythm & blues.

“It turned out we both loved JOHNNY KIDD & THE PIRATES,” says Roger, name-checking the turn-of-‘60s creators of 'Shakin’ All Over' and 'Please Don’t Touch'. “They’d been a big influence on both our bands. That heavy power trio sound, backing up a singer; it’s a British institution. No-one does that better than us.”

They decided on the spot it would be a great idea to collaborate together on an album but both being busy men, the idea drifted away.

Then in January 2013 Wilko was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told he had just months to live. The guitarist riding high after Julien Temple’s acclaimed Dr. Feelgood documentary Oil City Confidential - seized upon the opportunity to make the most of his time left. When The Who finished a sold-out world tour Daltrey was delighted to discover that, mercifully, Wilko was still well enough to fulfil their ambition of making an album together.

“Roger jumped up and said, ‘Let’s do it,’” says Johnson. “He knew this lovely little studio called Yellow Fish in Uckfield. Unfortunate name for a place, but a great studio.”

The album was recorded last November in a week, using Wilko’s crack touring band of Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy and drummer Dylan Howe, with ex-STYLE COUNCIL and Dexy’s keyboardist Mick Talbot also guesting. Wilko credits the producer, Dave Eringa, with pulling it all together in such a short time.

“Everyone got on famously,” says Johnson, “it was a great atmosphere.”

The album mostly features re-makes of vintage Wilko gems, including the Feelgoods’ 'All Through The City', 'Keep It Out Of Sight' and 'Going Back Home' – the latter co-written in 1975 with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates’ guitarist Mick Green – plus 'Everybody’s Carrying A Gun', originally recorded by his post-Feelgoods group THE SOLID SENDERS, and the solo ‘80s rockers 'Ice On The Motorway' and 'I’m Going To Keep It To Myself'. There is also a hidden gem, the heart-wrenching ballad 'Turned 21', which has never been properly released or performed live.

For Wilko, who has faced down his cancer with admirable good humour and steely courage, Going Back Home represents a dream fulfilled at the end of his life.

“I’ve had a brilliant year,” he says. “I was meant to die in October and now I’ve recorded this with Roger. I can’t keep gushing, but I saw The Who in 1969 when I was at university. He’s a star to me.”
“I’m very proud of this album,” adds Daltrey who is donating his royalties from the album to a Teen Cancer charity. “So much music today is over polished. This record has a freshness that can only come from the pressures we’re under.”
“You mean me dying?” Johnson laughs “Yes,” says Roger. “Because of that inconsiderate lump inside you. Who the hell does it think it is?!”

Going Back Home tracklisting:

'All Through The City' (Wilko Johnson)

'Sneaking Suspicion' (Wilko Johnson)

'Going Back Home' (Wilko Johnson)

'Everybody’s Carrying A Gun' (Wilko Johnson)

'Keep It Out Of Sight' (Wilko Johnson)

'Keep On Loving You' (Wilko Johnson, Norman Watt-Roy, Salvatore Ramundo)

'Some Kind Of Hero' (Wilko Johnson)

'Turned 21' (Wilko Johnson)

'I Keep It To Myself' (Wilko Johnson)

'Ice On The Motorway' (Wilko Johnson)

'Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window' (Bob Dylan)