The guitarist was a founding member of the Canvey Island outfit in 1971 but acrimoniously split with Lee Brilleaux, John Sparks and John 'The Big Figure' Martin six years later. The current Feelgoods lineup offered moral support while he endured his 22-month battle with cancer, which ended with an all-clear diagnosis in October.

Johnson recently told how he hadn't been able to fully understand the success of Going Back Home, the collaboration album with Roger Daltrey that he thought would be his last. He also vowed to put his health woes behind him in 2015, saying: "As early as possible in the new year I want to get back on stage and play. One of the first things I want to do is a benefit for Addenbrookes Hospital as a tiny, tiny gesture of thanks for what they did for me."