Wilko Johnson, English rock icon and ‘Game of Thrones’ actor, dead at 75
Wilko Johnson (above) appeared on ‘Game of Thrones’ in an episode in 2010
A prolific artist and singer, the singer-songwriter was best known for his work with rock bands like The Kinks, The Hollies and The Beatles.
He started his career in the late 1940s singing in folk clubs, and as a teenager joined a band called The Shirelles.
While studying the law at Durham University, Johnson appeared on The Beatles’ first American tour.
He later moved to London to be an actor and singer, and after meeting actor Kenneth Haigh and his family from a singing competition in Leeds, Johnson was approached by them about appearing in a musical.
In 1959, Johnson released his debut album, and in 1964, he married singer-songwriter, Linda Hargreaves, in Wales, and the couple had three children.
He remained friends with Linda until their split in 2011.
In 1970, Johnson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and in 1974, he was awarded the Queen’s Medal for Music.
A talented musician, he performed in many of his own and other artists’ songs, and he played bass in many folk bands.
He appeared as James Bond in an episode of the television show, ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ in 1965, and continued his career in drama and theatre in the 1970s.
After his wife, Linda, died in 2011, Johnson began a relationship with writer and actor Rebecca Adlington, whom he met through their mutual friend, playwright and actor David Eldridge, and the couple remained together until their deaths.
While appearing in ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E,’ Johnson’s character, Mr. Withers became friends with