Dr Feelgood are still considered legends of Canvey - and founder member Wilko Johnson is still rocking out with his own band.

The Wilko Johnson Band play a rare gig in Westcliff this weekend showcasing highlights from a new album.

The time was right in the mid-'70s when the band stormed out of Canvey and helped change the face of British music.

It was the catalyst for the punk rock and new wave explosion of the late '70s.

During Wilko's time with Dr Feelgood as guitarist and songwriter they released four classic albums, including the number one live album Stupidity.

Wilko left the band in '77 and, after a few false starts, formed the Solid Senders, whose popularity belied their record sales.

Wilko continued with various line-ups and shared vocal duties with Lew Lewis for a time playing to audiences in the UK and Europe and sporadically releasing overlooked albums and singles.

Wilko even found time to join Ian Dury and the Blockheads adding more of a rock and roll approach to their live shows.

It was with the Blockheads that Wilko's friendship with Norman Watt-Roy would lead to the latter to join a new line-up of the Wilko Johnson Band.

The trio was completed by Southend musician Salvatore Ramundo, who had played in various local bands including Le Mat.

This line-up has stuck together through many live gigs and still haven't lost their hunger for the music business.

A new CD fittingly titled Going Back Home is released on Monday, just two days after a homecoming gig.

Check out Wilko Jones at Club Riga, next to the Cricketers Inn, London Road, Westcliff, on Saturday night, starting at 8.30pm. Tickets are £8 and support comes from Columbo.

On home ground - Wilko Johnson plays a Westcliff gig

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.