How did Wilko Johnson die? Game of Thrones star and guitarist cause of death explained

Wilko Johnson, a famous guitarist, and Game of Thrones star passed away on November 21, 2022. Let’s how did guitarist die and Wilko Johnson cause of death in detail.

How did Wilko Johnson die?

Wilko Johnson’s band shared the news of his passing on their official Twitter page as they paid tribute to the accomplished musician and actor.

The former English teacher turned punk hero gained notoriety in the 1970s with Dr. Feelgood. Wilko, who was well-known for his unique guitar playing, contributed to the English punk movement’s influence.

This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died. He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family’s privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson.
(Image: Leif Laaksonen) pic.twitter.com/1cRqyi9b9X

— Wilko Johnson (@wilkojohnson) November 23, 2022

The death statement reads,

“This is the announcement we never wanted to make, and we do so, on behalf of Wilko’s family and the band, with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died. He passed away at home on Monday evening, November 21, 2022. Thank you for respecting Wilko’s family’s privacy at this very sad time, and thank you all for having been such a tremendous support throughout Wilko’s incredible life. RIP Wilko Johnson.”

Johnson also dabbled in acting, making his movie debut in famous Game of Thrones as Ser Ilyn Payne.

Wilko Johnson cause of death:

Wilko Johnson cause of death was cancer. Johnson received no chemotherapy after receiving a late-stage pancreatic cancer diagnosis in January 2013. Wilko had previously been told he had terminal pancreatic cancer, but in 2014, following an 11-hour surgery to remove a tumor, he thanked the medical staff for “healing” him.

He spoke with John Wilson on the BBC Radio 4 arts programme Front Row on January 25, 2013. He talked about his cancer and said that his doctors had given him nine to ten months to live. Along with discussing his upcoming “farewell tour” of the UK in March, he also discussed how his diagnosis had made him feel “vividly alive.”



After the tour was done, he made the announcement that he would spend his dying days working on a farewell album with Roger Daltrey of the Who. Johnson did not, however, have the more typical pancreatic adenocarcinoma. He was eventually found to have a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (PanNET), which is a less dangerous and easier-to-treat variant of the disease.

Johnson underwent a drastic procedure to correct his condition, and the medical professionals believed that his prognosis would be favourable.

In accepting the “Icon Award” at the Q Awards on October 22, 2014, Johnson stated that he had undergone “surgery of his pancreas, spleen, part of his stomach, small and large intestines, and the removal and repair of blood arteries linked to the liver” and was “cancer-free.” Going Back Home, the album, was made available in March 2014.

In October 2014, he subsequently said to entertainment journalist for BBC News Colin Paterson, “I felt that was going to be the last thing I ever did.”

Who is Wilko Johnson?

Wilko Johnson also known as John Peter Wilkinson. He was born on 12 July 1947. He was an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and occasional actor.

In the 1970s, he was a member of the pub rock/rhythm and blues group Dr. Feelgood. Johnson was renowned for his unusual fingerstyle guitar playing, which he achieved by forgoing the use of a pick. This allowed him to simultaneously play riffs or solos and rhythm guitar, which resulted in a very percussive guitar sound.

Wilko Johnson may not be as well-known as some other guitarists, but he ranks right up there, according to Paul Weller. Wilko is a guitarist/vocalist from the 1970s pub rock band Dr. Feelgood. “Stupidity,” the live album, debuted at number one on the UK album chart.

He developed the “Duck Walk,” an iconic movement in which he zigzagged across the stage while playing his 1962 Fender Telecaster. Wilko had a significant impact on the British punk music industry.

Wilko Johnson Career:

Johnson, an Essex native who was raised in Canvey Island, attended Westcliff High School for Boys and participated in a number of local bands before enrolling at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to pursue a BA in English Language and Literature. His undergraduate studies covered both the old Icelandic sagas and Anglo-Saxon literature.

After receiving his degree, he took a land route to India before coming back to Essex to join the Pigboy Charlie Band. The group developed into Dr. Feelgood, a pioneer in the pub rock movement of the 1970s.
Johnson worked as an English instructor for less than a year in 1972 after his return from Goa. He paid £90 (about $1,854 in 2024) for his first Fender Telecaster in 1965 from a store in Southend, Essex.

RIP Wilko Johnson. Cool as fuck. pic.twitter.com/OgpLHE4irQ

— Steve Berry 🚮 (@unloveablesteve) November 23, 2022

Johnson created his own style by fusing his jerky stage motions, or “duck walk,” with a jagged guitar playing technique, occasionally elevating his guitar to his shoulder like a gun, and a daring sense of fashion. He didn’t use a pick; instead, he relied on fingerstyle to achieve his playing style. This allowed him to simultaneously play riffs or solos and rhythm guitar, which resulted in a very percussive guitar sound. It developed out of Johnson’s unsuccessful attempt to imitate Johnny Kidd and the Pirates guitarist Mick Green.

His Bo Diddley-inspired approach served as the primary inspiration for Dr. Feelgood’s early work, which included the band’s first four albums, Down by the Jetty, Malpractice, Stupidity and Sneakin’ Suspicion, all released between 1975 and 1977.

Although Johnson played on Dr. Feelgood’s first five single releases, including “Roxette” and “Back in the Night,” the only song to chart while he was a member of the band was “Sneakin’ Suspicion,” which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Following differences on the songs to be featured on the Sneakin’ Suspicion album, he departed the group in April 1977. Johnson insists that he was expelled from the band, despite the other band members’ assertions to the contrary.

Tributes to Wilko Johnson:

Rocksteddie tweeted,

RIP Wilko Johnson….what an iconic character! #ripwilko 

Nick Baker posted,

So sad to hear this news – a brave man indeed – Thank You For The Music Wilko – you were and are, a Legend!!

Wendy May posted,

Oh no, this is really sad news…he was such a legend, thoughts go out to his family & close friends xxx

Bob McCarthy commented,

That is such sad news. Thank you, Mr. Wilko Johnson/John Wilkinson, for the countless hours of musical pleasure that you, plus all of your bandmates and collaborators, have given to us. My symphathy goes out to all of Wilco’s family and friends.

Dave Elliott posted,

Ah Wilko!! Gutted to hear of your passing Man. Thankyou for your incredible entertainment, live performances I’ve experienced I will never forget. Very sad news, RIP Wilko 

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