Formados en Canvey Island, Essex, UK a principios de los años 70, Dr. Feelgood, sigue siendo una de las bandas de R&B más apreciadas en todo el mundo. Rhythm and Blues crudo como refrescante alternativa a la Psicodelia y al Hard Rock reinante en aquellos años, la salida de su álbum «Stupidity», que fue directamente al nº 1 de las listas de UK con temas como “Roxette”, “Back in the Night”, “Milk and alcohol”, “Down at the doctors”, etc., les dieron su primer disco de oro y reconocimiento mundial.
En 1994, «Down to the Doctors», grabado en vivo, fue el último álbum de Dr Feelgood con el carismático cantante Lee Brilleaux, que dos meses después moriría de cáncer.
La formación actual cuenta con la sección rítmica Kevin Morris en la batería y Phil Mitchell en el bajo, (ambos llevan 33 años en la banda), Steve Walwyn en la guitarra durante 26 años y el carismático cantante y armonicista Robert Kane, 17 años en el grupo tras dejar a The Animals.
Dr. Feelgood están siempre muy solicitados realizando una media de 200 conciertos al año actuando en los más importantes festivales de verano y en interminables giras durante el resto del año por Reino Unido, Japón y la mayoría de países europeos, donde continúan siendo leyenda.
Nuestro compañero Josechu Egido ha hablado con Kevin Morris, baterista des la anda desde 1983 para saber algo más de la actualidad de la banda británica.
THE INTERVIEW
Do you remember still why the name Dr. Feelgood?
The name Dr Feelgood was taken from the record by Johnnie Kidd and the Pirates.
Dr. Feelgood is one of the best-known and most influential bands in the new groups of Black Music, but what are or were your influences to make music that you do?
The band all listened to American R&B and Blues from such heroes as Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Elmore James, BB King and many more.
This year marks 46 years since Dr. Feelgood began as a band. What is different in your music today from 46 years ago? What has changed in the sound of Dr. Feelgood over the years?
The sound of the group will have changed over the years with the change of personnel, however the style and influence remains unchanged and the attitude undiminished.
What are you going to offer in your live concerts and what do you hope from the people in your shows?
We always put out the maximum effort at our live shows and we hope that the audience will respond to us!
What are your plans for the rest of this year 2018 and next 2019? Can you anticipate anything to us? ”Repeat Prescription” is your last album to date, for when new songs?
We are very busy touring for the rest of 2018, but hope to get into the studio to make a new record soon.
Do you think the digital world will end with music as we know it today? What do you think is the future of music?
Digital music and the idea that music is free will change the business as we know it, but live performances will continue to thrive.
What is your best memory about music?
My best memories are of playing live for the last 50 years and still performing and enjoying it.
What do you think about the current economic situation in U.K., Spain, Europe and World in general?
I am very sad by the decision for the UK to leave the EU as I have always considered myself very much a European
MISCELLANY
Could you tell us about…
… A book?: My favourite book is “Earthly Powers” by Anthony Burgess
…A movie?: –
… A song?: –
… An album?: John Coltrane. “A love Supreme”
… A group or soloist?: My boyhood heroes were The Who
Thank you very much. Best wishes from Spain, and congratulations for your music
Cheers