Paul Weller: "Wilko Johnson is unique, a one-off"

Paul Weller has paid tribute to one of his musical heroes, Wilko Johnson, in the latest issue of Uncut, out now.

Weller admits that he took elements of the Dr Feelgood guitarist’s playing into his work with The Jam after seeing the group perform live at Guildford Civic Hall.

“I don’t think I’d ever heard anyone play like Wilko before," he says. “You could liken his playing to someone like Bo Diddley, but Wilko is unique, a one-off.

“He is also a great songwriter as well, especially on all those early tunes from Down By The Jetty and Malpractice. I thought they were very special songs… I took elements of his playing, that choppiness, into The Jam.”

Wilko Johnson has been diagnosed with cancer, which is expected to be terminal, and recently performed a set of sold-out farewell gigs.

To read an in-depth interview with Johnson, and more from Paul Weller on his hero, check out the latest issue of Uncut, out now.

Picture: Brian David Stevens

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