When the news that rock legend, and “Game of Thrones Actor” Wilko Johnson (real name John Peter Wilkinson) had pancreatic cancer broke he set out on a “farewell tour”. The result of this tour is the documentary “The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson”. The trailer for the rock documentary was released today.
After the documentary premiered at SXSW on March 13th the official trailer for “The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson” came out today, and the Julien Temple directed documentary showed a vulnerable Wilko Johnson. More so, the trailer showed the common fears that we all have dealing with death, how precious time is, how we struggle with exsistence, wondering if we are living life to the fullest, and if we will be remembered. The beginning of the trailer opens with Wilko coming to the realization of his prognosis of only ten months to live.
Wilko found out about his pancreatic cancer a little over two years ago. He was then forced to come to grips with his mortality, and decided that instead waiting around for his impending death; he would get out and give the people one last show. The movie follows Wilko as goes through the ten months following when he first embarked on the struggle against cancer. In total it was a twenty-one month battle with cancer, but Wilko describes the journey as liberating, because he was finally able to live in the moment. Wilko grabbed his gear, and let the music that so many adored him for leave one final impression. The trailer for his documentary “The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson” features footage from these shows as well as commentary from British icon Elton John, and Wilko himself. In the midst of the tour he even recorded a “farewell album” titled “”Going Back Home” with WHO lead singer Roger Daltrey. Fortunately, he was diagnosed cancer free after undergoing a special procedure where he had his pancreas, spleen, and parts of his intestines removed.
Wilko Johnson is best known for his work as lead guitarist/singer-songwriter for the band Dr. Feelgood. The members of the British Rhythm and Blues band are revered as pioneers, and forefathers for the Punk movement of the 70s and 80s. He achieved major success as a guitarist for a multitude of other bands as well. Johnson, 67, has a place in the hearts of many, and this sentiment became more emphasized with his taking part in the beloved HBO show Game of Thrones as mute executioner Ilyn Payne. At the end of the trailer you can see Johnson saying goodbye and those in the crowd were all shedding tears, because the man they grew to have a connection with was battling a seemingly losing battle with a terminal disease. No release date has been set for a broad release of the documentary, but the movie is slated for a 2015 release in the U.S. as well as the UK.
The trailer to “The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson” can be seen above.
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