LEGENDARY rock band Dr Feelgood have been left without vital instruments and pricey equipment after their van was stolen just weeks before they embark on a European tour.
The band, formed on Canvey in the 1970s, have been left heartbroken after the black Mercedes Sprinter van was stolen from a driveway in Hockley in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The van included all of the band’s equipment, including a guitar purchased by bassist Phil Mitchell when he was just 17.
Mr Mitchell, 71, is a founding member of the band and has been left heartbroken and fears at least £20,000 of equipment has been lost.
The black Fender bass guitar has been Mr Mitchell’s guitar of choice for more than 50 years and he is devastated that it may be lost forever.
He said: “Crimes like this leave you in total shock, it is absolutely heartbreaking.
“I went out to the front of my house to get something from the van and saw the gaping hole on my front drive, I initially thought I had just left it up the pub or done something stupid, but I got this horrible sinking feeling.
“I have other instruments anyway and I have other bits of equipment and we are trying to rent a replacement bus and carry on, but it is the inconvenience of it.
“This stuff has sentimental value, things like our stage clothes were in there and it must have totalled £20,000.
“My old bass in there was my first instrument, my first real guitar.
“I had been playing cheap British guitars and it was a real American guitar, I have others, but it is ‘old reliable’ to me.”
The band, including current members Kevin Morris, Gordon Russel and Robert Kane are due to travel to Germany next week to kick-off the tour.
The band’s original singer Lee Brilleaux died in 1994 and legendary guitarist Wilko Johnson died in 2022.
Despite the blow, Mr Mitchell has insisted the tour will go ahead and they will not be beaten.
“Nothing keeps us down, we can’t let them win,” he added.
“How they got away with this without waking me is beyond me, it was parked under my bedroom window, and it would have needed to be started.”
An Essex Police spokesman said: "We’re investigating the theft of a grey Mercedes Sprinter van which was stolen from outside a property in Hockley.
"The theft took place between 6pm on Monday 15 April and midday on Tuesday 16 April.
"The van contained a number of musical instruments and other equipment with a total reported cost of about £20,000. Including the van and associated work carried out on it, the total loss to the victim is about £70,000.
"We are in contact with the victim and officers are in the area completing house to house and CCTV enquiries.
"A number of other investigative opportunities are also being explored.
"Anyone with information on this incident should get in touch as soon as possible.
"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.
"Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.
"Alternatively, you can call us on 101.
"Please cite crime reference 42/60222/24."
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