A guitarist particularly associated with 1970s British R&B band, Dr. Feelgood.

From Canvey Island in Essex, Johnson played in several local groups before moving to the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to study English. Returning to Essex, he played with the Pigboy Charlie Band, which evolved into Dr. Feelgood - a mainstay of the 1970s pub rock movement.

Johnson developed his own unique style, coupling a choppy guitar style with a novel dress sense (he favoured a black suit and a 'pudding bowl' haircut) and jerky movements. His unique, highly percussive, guitar style was due to the fact that he did not use a pick in his right hand, something that enabled him to do rhythm and play riffs or solos at the same time.

He was still with Dr. Feelgood when their live album, Stupidity, reached number one in the UK album charts.

In 1977, he was a founder member of the Solid Senders, and a couple of years later joined Ian Dury’s band, the Blockheads. He then formed the Wilko Johnson Band, joined by Blockhead bassist Norman Watt-Roy and drummer Salvatore Ramundo. Ramundo was later replaced by Steve Monti (former Curve and The Jesus and Mary Chain drummer).

The Wilko Johnson band still plays on the pub circuit.

Throughout 2005 and 2006 the band teamed up with the Hamsters and John Otway in the The Mad, The Bad & The Dangerous Tour.