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Lee Brilleaux: Rock 'n' Roll Gentleman
Lee Brilleaux, the uniquely charismatic star of proto-punk R&B reprobates Dr Feelgood, was one of rock’n’roll’s greatest frontmen. But he was also one of its greatest gentlemen – a class act with heart, fire, wanderlust and a wild streak. Exploding out of Canvey Island in the early 1970s – an age of glam rock, post-hippy folk and pop androgyny – the Feelgoods, with Lee Brilleaux and Wilko Johnson at the helm, charged into London, grabbed the pub rock scene by the throat and sparked a revolutionary new era, proving that you didn’t have to be middle class, wearing the ‘right clothes’ or living in the ‘right place’ to succeed. Lee Brilleaux: Rock’n’Roll Gentleman, while a totally different work, is a companion of sorts to the hugely popular Wilko Johnson book: Looking Back At Me (also co-authored by Howe). It is the first comprehensive appreciation of Lee Brilleaux and, with its numerous exclusive interviews and previously unseen images, is a book no Dr Feelgood fan would wish to be without.
272 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 28, 2020
The book gets 4 because 1977 in Paderborn University was still one of the best live shows I have seen in my 60 years on this planet.
January 11, 2024
Well researched, full of anecdotes - a fitting tribute to a great showman who doggedly stuck to his guns, always putting the show first. It was interesting to see how driven he was to entertain, even though the original band members all later realised that the band would have lasted longer if they had actually taken a proper break - even 3 months off would have made a difference, but Lee always wanted to get back in the van.
Although various Linwood of he band kept going until his untimely death (and the name is still carried on by the blokes who were in that lineup), they didn't record much of note after Gypie Mayo was fired.
Lots of tales of drink, of a deep love of rhythm and blues, of every ounce being squeezed out onstage - and the later realisation for Lee, when he became a father, that you need to make space for family - which he did.
It's a shame that Lee and Wilko never reconciled - two proud, emotionally inarticulate men who made great music and had a tremendous bond.
Although various Linwood of he band kept going until his untimely death (and the name is still carried on by the blokes who were in that lineup), they didn't record much of note after Gypie Mayo was fired.
Lots of tales of drink, of a deep love of rhythm and blues, of every ounce being squeezed out onstage - and the later realisation for Lee, when he became a father, that you need to make space for family - which he did.
It's a shame that Lee and Wilko never reconciled - two proud, emotionally inarticulate men who made great music and had a tremendous bond.
September 8, 2021
it was a fine read. I didn't know much about the geezer as i wasn't really into the band, but i had read and watched a doc on the guitarist who was quite fascinating. The 2 of them formed the band together but their egos were such that they could not sustain a friendship and a working relationship.
I have some understanding of forming bands and ego clashes... I formed a couple of bands, and did a handful of gigs in the late 80's before I decided to pursue a more literary avenue...
Back to the book, the context is Essex, the late 70's early 80's punk scened and this rock band who walked the walk and lived life to the full .
If you love music /and characters who drive it this is for you..
I have some understanding of forming bands and ego clashes... I formed a couple of bands, and did a handful of gigs in the late 80's before I decided to pursue a more literary avenue...
Back to the book, the context is Essex, the late 70's early 80's punk scened and this rock band who walked the walk and lived life to the full .
If you love music /and characters who drive it this is for you..
February 7, 2021
I wanted to read this as I love Dr Feelgood but also have a personal history with Canvey Island and many of the places mentioned. My aunt lived in the island and I had a few musical experiences there growing up. I spent the millennium at the Grand, sadly 6 years after Lee died otherwise I have no doubt he would have been in there too.
This is a great book about a man and band that sadly don't get the wider recognition now that they deserve. This is a guide to how to be a front man and strive for success; something that the autotuned generation who think they deserve instant success would do well to study.
This is a great book about a man and band that sadly don't get the wider recognition now that they deserve. This is a guide to how to be a front man and strive for success; something that the autotuned generation who think they deserve instant success would do well to study.
February 10, 2021
When I’m not reading crime or horror novels there’s nothing I enjoy more than books about music or musicians and I tend to enjoy biographies about lesser known artists, as opposed to those in the mainstream. I’ve had this book in my sights for some time now but have just got around to reading it when it was recommended in my Kindle Unlimited list.
Lee Brilleaux was the lead signer with rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood, who were a big favourite of mine for a couple of years, from about 1975 until punk emerged and then everything changed. Dr Feelgood were a sort of precursor to punk, in that, when they emerged, with their short, sharp r & b songs & rock’n’roll covers, rock music at the time was all about ‘concept’ albums and 10 minute drum solos. They were just so different at the time to anything else that I just couldn’t help but love them.
This book ostensibly is about Lee Brilleaux but his story can’t be told without at the same time as telling the story of Dr Feelgood, as both are so intrinsically intertwined, as Lee was a founding member of the band and was ultimately the only original member at the time of his untimely death, albeit the band still continues to this day. Lee moved to Canvey Island as a youngster, grew up and remained close to and lived in the surrounding area all his life, staying true to his roots. His on stage persona was that of an angry, edgy, petty criminal with his shortish hair and his unwashed rumpled trademark white suit, pumping his fist and cracking the microphone lead like a whip. Off stage apparently he was a somewhat shy individual who was highly intelligent, loved reading, blues music and later in life enjoyed good food and cooking. He also loved to party and he and the band could inhale huge quantities of alcohol and drugs and when not on the road touring they could usually be found in their ‘local’. Lee was also extremely hardworking and the band were consistently touring, as he felt that had a duty to do so for their fans and also because after their initial flush of success, it’s touring that put bread on the table. Lee even managed to do two local gigs to record a final live album when he was extremely ill and just before his death.
This book is a fitting tribute to Lee’s memory and paints a picture of an all round gentleman but it also highlights the faults and the mistakes he made along the way and many by his own admission. There was a lot to Lee’s story that was new to me and also about the band as well, as I never really followed their career much after original guitarist Wilko left.
This is an excellent book that is predominantly for Dr Feelgood fans old and new, as without knowing the band or their music it would be difficult for it to appeal to the casual reader. It is a great companion piece to the excellent documentary ‘Oil City Confidential’ which tells the bands story through the other three original members.
There’s nothing else for me to do now but stick on my headphones and crank up ‘Down by the Jetty’ !!!!
Lee Brilleaux was the lead signer with rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood, who were a big favourite of mine for a couple of years, from about 1975 until punk emerged and then everything changed. Dr Feelgood were a sort of precursor to punk, in that, when they emerged, with their short, sharp r & b songs & rock’n’roll covers, rock music at the time was all about ‘concept’ albums and 10 minute drum solos. They were just so different at the time to anything else that I just couldn’t help but love them.
This book ostensibly is about Lee Brilleaux but his story can’t be told without at the same time as telling the story of Dr Feelgood, as both are so intrinsically intertwined, as Lee was a founding member of the band and was ultimately the only original member at the time of his untimely death, albeit the band still continues to this day. Lee moved to Canvey Island as a youngster, grew up and remained close to and lived in the surrounding area all his life, staying true to his roots. His on stage persona was that of an angry, edgy, petty criminal with his shortish hair and his unwashed rumpled trademark white suit, pumping his fist and cracking the microphone lead like a whip. Off stage apparently he was a somewhat shy individual who was highly intelligent, loved reading, blues music and later in life enjoyed good food and cooking. He also loved to party and he and the band could inhale huge quantities of alcohol and drugs and when not on the road touring they could usually be found in their ‘local’. Lee was also extremely hardworking and the band were consistently touring, as he felt that had a duty to do so for their fans and also because after their initial flush of success, it’s touring that put bread on the table. Lee even managed to do two local gigs to record a final live album when he was extremely ill and just before his death.
This book is a fitting tribute to Lee’s memory and paints a picture of an all round gentleman but it also highlights the faults and the mistakes he made along the way and many by his own admission. There was a lot to Lee’s story that was new to me and also about the band as well, as I never really followed their career much after original guitarist Wilko left.
This is an excellent book that is predominantly for Dr Feelgood fans old and new, as without knowing the band or their music it would be difficult for it to appeal to the casual reader. It is a great companion piece to the excellent documentary ‘Oil City Confidential’ which tells the bands story through the other three original members.
There’s nothing else for me to do now but stick on my headphones and crank up ‘Down by the Jetty’ !!!!
August 4, 2025
Everything you could want from a book on Lee Brilleaux. I saw him perform with Dr Feelgood a year or two before he died at Tower Records in Piccadilly. He looked rough and was an extremely intimidating presence while performing, but magnificent of course. I never would have guessed that he was someone who was always friendly to fans, but apparently he was, so I wish I'd hung around and spoken to him after reading this... Anyway, Zoe Howe has done a great job here - she seems to have interviewed all the people who were important in LB's life and it's by turns thrilling, hilarious and, finally, tragic.
April 16, 2018
A fine biography of one of the UK's greatest vocalists, Zoë Howe paints an evocative portrait of Lee Brilleaux.
It's particularly helpful for the post-Wilko period as the growing Feelgoods legend is so dominated by that iconic line-up.
And that Wilko and Lee weren't able to meet before his death is one of the great rock'n'roll tragedies.
It's particularly helpful for the post-Wilko period as the growing Feelgoods legend is so dominated by that iconic line-up.
And that Wilko and Lee weren't able to meet before his death is one of the great rock'n'roll tragedies.
October 21, 2022
Entertaining read about the singer in Dr Feelgood, 70s pub rock band from Canvey island. Good at describing the 70s music scene and explaining why Dr Feelgood were such an influential band in Britain at the time, and good too at explaining Brilleaux's own motivations for his work. First book I've read by Zoë Howe, she's a good writer.
March 9, 2022
A good appreciation of an underrated talent
Well written and lovingly researched, rich with anecdotal reports of his career on the road. An essential read for anyone interested in the Feelgoods phenomenon.
Well written and lovingly researched, rich with anecdotal reports of his career on the road. An essential read for anyone interested in the Feelgoods phenomenon.
August 13, 2019
It is a good, thorough biography, but somehow it didn't draw me in. Perhaps because the music itself seemed to be play a supporting part.
August 25, 2020
A moving story
I was reluctant to carry on reading after the first few chapters. Goodness I’m glad I finished. Truly amazing truly.
I was reluctant to carry on reading after the first few chapters. Goodness I’m glad I finished. Truly amazing truly.
February 21, 2017
A well researched book. Enjoyable from start to finish,giving an insight to one of Britain's greatest rhythm & blues exponents.
November 17, 2015
I discovered Dr Feelgood in retrospect, with my initial contact the single She's a Wind-up. That same year I stumbled across Wilko Johnson on the Hope and Anchor album, made the Dr Feelgood connection and went looking for the early Feelgood albums.
Lee Brilleaux, as even Wilko has said, was Dr Feelgood. A man with amazing stage presence and this fine biography tells you all about the main man.
Ray Smillie
Lee Brilleaux, as even Wilko has said, was Dr Feelgood. A man with amazing stage presence and this fine biography tells you all about the main man.
Ray Smillie
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews