Wilko Johnson, the former guitarist for the influential English pub-rock group Dr. Feelgood, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas, The Guardian reports.
According to a statement issued by his manager Robert Hoy, Johnson does not plan to undergochemotherapy, and he is "currently in good spirits, is not yet suffering any physical effects and can expect to enjoy at least another few months of reasonable health and activity."
Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures
Notorious for their rowdy live shows, Dr. Feelgood never broke big, but Johnson's distinct, choppy guitar playing inspired many post-punk guitarists. Johnson left Dr. Feelgood in 1977; he went on to play with the Blockheads, started his own Wilko Johnson Band and even scored a recurring role as the mute knight Ilyn Payne on Game of Thrones.
Despite the diagnosis, Hoy says Johnson plans to finish a new CD when he returns from a trip to Japan, after which he'll do a short tour in France and play a series of farewell gigs in the U.K.. A live DVD, composed of footage filmed during his last U.K. tour, is also in the works.
"Wilko wishes to offer his sincere thanks for all the support he has had over his long career," the statement reads, "from those who have worked with him to, above all, those devoted fans and admirers who have attended his live gigs, bought his recordings and generally made his life such an extraordinarily full and eventful experience."
