Dr. Feelgood guitarist Gypie Mayo dies

Former Dr. Feelgood rocker Gypie Mayo has died. He was 62. The guitarist’s one time bandmate Wilko Johnson told fans on Facebook.com that Mayo passed away on Wednesday morning (23Oct13).
He writes, “Very sad to hear Gypie Mayo passed away this morning. RIP Gypie.”
Reports suggest Mayo had been ill for some time, but no further details about the cause of death have been released.
Born John Phillip Cawthra, the musician joined his first band, White Mule, in 1969, before becoming a part of Dr. Feelgood from 1977 to 1981.
He co-wrote the band’s biggest hit, Milk and Alcohol, in 1979. After leaving the group he played with reformed rockers The Yardbirds from 1996 to 2004 and worked as a guitar teacher.
Paying tribute to Mayo, Dr. Feelgood drummer Kevin Morris says, “Gypie was a tremendously talented and innovative guitarist who not only played in DF between 1977 and 1981 but also co-wrote some of our best known songs including Milk and Alcohol.
“He had been ill for some time but when I last spoke to him retained his great sense of humour. Truly a sad day for us all.”
Johnson is currently fighting his own health battle after declining treatment for terminal pancreatic cancer earlier this year (13).