Wilko Johnson, Cult Musician Dying of Pancreatic Cancer, Stays Positive [VIDEO]: Punk Rock Herald, Game of Thrones Star Faces Death with a Smile

Wilko Johnson, best known as the guitarist for the 70s outfit Dr Feelgood and occasional actor, is facing his terminal pancreatic diagnosis with a smile thanks to a farewell tour. The musician, songwriter and "Game of Thrones" actor is quite moved by the selling out of his farewell concerts. A mounting interest has increased with everything "Wilko Johnson" since his pancreatic cancer diagnosis became public. Most notably, the award-winning 2009 documentary Oil City Confidential, which featured Johnson. A British newspaper even considers the 65-year-old Wilko the country's latest "national treasure."

This attention and surge in his career has given him a reason to keep smiling. Wilko does not mind discussing his fatality and admits that he is quite aware that he will problem be gone within a year. With attention on the former musician, he feels a sense of "euphoria" and maintains a sense of just feeling more alive than usual. An admitted sufferer of depression, Johnson has since moved past such miserableness and is just looking forward to his concerts. That said, he may not fear dying but illness is certainly a possibility and can affect the performances.

Johnson's success in the early 1970s with Dr Feelgood came as a precursor to and solid influence of the punk rock movement. Famous British acts included David Bowie and Pink Floyd who clearly represented a different sound and ideal altogether. Wilko's absurd, awkward look and unusual guitar playing (video below) made him and Dr Feelgood a staple in the music of the time. Johnson also played with Ian Drury & The Blockheads and then formed the Wilko Johnson Band, which released its last album in 2005.

Apart from music, Wilko dabbled in acting. His appearance in the documentary Oil City Confidential showed off his eccentricity and ability to captivate an audience in an unfamiliar field. Most recently, he was cast in HBO's "Game of Thrones", portraying the executioner Ser Ilyn Payne who had his tongue ripped out. Needless to say, he has made his mark on viewers as one of the scariest characters on a very brutal show. Speaking about his role on the hit television show, Wilko says:

"Basically, all I had to do was go around giving people menacing looks. I can do that."

Though this new medium has been rewarding, Johnson will clearly be remembered in the music world for his contributions and passion. His son, Simon, continues the family's musical legacy as the guitarist in the band Eight Rounds Rapid.