Wilko Johnson the original Dr Feelgood guitarist , actor (Game of Thrones character Ser ilyn Payne) and all round national treasure. became one of the guitar heroes of the 1970s and beyond, not to mention one of rock ’n’ roll’s most extraordinary characters. He, alongside his original Feelgood bandmates, is also widely acknowledged as a forefather of punk on both sides of the Atlantic, fans ranging from Joe Strummer to Blondie. Following a stint with Ian Dury & The Blockheads in the 1980s, he formed the Wilko Johnson Band, with Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy.
Rooted in Pub Rock Royalty: The Birth of Cornell Amps
Growing up on Canvey Island alongside Wilko Johnson and members of Dr Feelgood, Denis Cornell shared a close bond with the band as both a friend and fellow musician—frequently sharing stages and performing alongside Steve Hooker.
In 1991, as Dr Feelgood’s success continued, frontman Lee Brilleaux asked Denis to engineer a custom amplifier tailored specifically for his high-output Shure Bullet harmonica microphone. That historic build marked the very first amplifier to bear the Cornell name.
Later in the 1990s, legendary guitarist Wilko Johnson sought out the Cornell Custom 40, meeting Denis at the iconic Club Riga venue in Southend-on-Sea. Captivated by the amp's dynamic response, Wilko requested a precise modification to the treble circuit to perfectly complement his famous red-and-black Fender Telecaster. Denis custom-tuned the circuit and went on to build a bespoke amplifier wrapped in matching custom cosmetics—a testament to two Canvey Island originals shaping British tone together.
The first Cornell amplifier, Lee Brillo's Shure Bullet harmonica amp from 1991.
Testamonial
Wilko Johnson, "These Cornell Amplifiers are absolutely great. They are handmade, there are no printed circuit boards in them, just great"
Denis with Wilko Johnson and Norman Watt Roy at Club Riga Southend with Wilko's Custom 40 amplifier.