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.
Cornell Story
Growing up and living in Canvey Island with Wilko and members of Dr Feelgood, Denis had a good relationship with them all, as friends and artists. He often performed with them and supported the band with Steve Hooker. With the success of Dr Feelgood and later in their career Lee Brillo asked Denis to make him a custom harmonica amp for his Shure Bullet microphone, this was the first Cornell amplifier Denis made in 1991.
In the late 1990's Wilko wanted to try the Cornell Custom 40 amplifier, so Denis met with him at a local music venue in Southend-on-Sea (Club Riga). He loved the amplifier but asked Denis to make an adjustment to the treble response to complement his custom Fender Telecaster and later had a custom cornell amplifier covered to match his guitar.
The first Cornell amplifier, Lee Brillo's Shure Bullet harmonica amp from 1991.
Testamonial
Denis with Wilko Johnson and Norman Watt Roy at Club Riga Southend with Wilko's Custom 40 amplifier.
"Wilko Cornell, these Cornell Amplifiers are absolutely great. They are handmade, there are no printed circuit boards in them, just great"