Birth of the Blues: Johnny Winter

Birth of the Blues: Johnny Winter
By Hunter60

After a four-year hiatus, Winter returned to recording with three releases for Chicago's Alligator label with "Guitar Slinger" garnering him another Grammy nod. Despite musical trends, Winter has remained a true blues man, forgoing his occasional stints into rock and roll. He has never really regained his foothold as a major guitarist that he had in the late Sixties and Seventies, at least commercially, but critically, he remains a name that is often mentioned when people list influential guitarists.

The Nineties were noted with a continual touring schedule (as long as his health would allow) with occasional releases. As his career progressed, several of the labels that he has recorded with have released several compendiums of his work, mining demos and his pre-success period as well as repackaging practically his entire catalogue. In 2004, he released "I'm a Bluesman", his first release of new material in eight years.

In "History of the Blues", author Francis Davis writes of Winter " … Johnny Winter and John Mayall have stuck with the blues through thick and thin. If someone happens to announce a blues revival and that brings people through the doors, so much the better. But these performers are in for the long haul, blues revival or no. They've long since paid all dues required of them."

It seems to me that blues is as much about living them as well as playing them. Johnny Winters career is near perfect example of that.

Think it's pretty cool that he kept playing for so long

Johnny's always been one of my favorites.

this is pretty cool

[FONT=Georgia]Just adding a bit to the excellent article.

Johnny and his brother are albinos (genetic condition called albinism).
Albinism affects the body's metabolism and aging processes in various ways.
Johnny is 65 years 'young', but metabolically he is at least 15 years older than that. He is a walking miracle in the light of all he has been through.


This has affected Johnny's vision tremendously and he is legally blind...very, very legally blind. His vision had deteriorated long ago but he did not make an issue of it and it only became recognisable later on when his mobility was affected. 80% of all our decisions are made via our visual processes, so Johnny is a true bluesman in more ways than one.

In consideration of this and the tremendous physical obstacles he has had to unobtrusively overcome, he deserves even more kudos, praise and credit for his wonderful singing and guitar playing along with the likes of the late Jeff Healey, who no doubt was inspired by Johnny. God bless them and may Johnny continue to play tremendously for many years to come. He has given us so much musical pleasure and inspiration.

It is also a very exciting time for retinal - vision cures coming in the form of genetic therapy, stem cell therapy and a host of other protocols, and soon they will be able to do something for Johnny - but you know him, he is a blues trooper and will just continue on valiantly regardless.

PS. It certainly would be nice if Eric Claption would personally invite him on stage to jam with him.

Keep up the great playing Johnny and please ... stay healthy![/FONT]

that is so amazing, really inspiring to

Johnny Winters playing the song "highway 61" is one of my all time favorites. What a slide guitar player!

That is an incredible story, I love learning about people's lives, and the history of music.

To be honest I've never heard much Johnny Winter, but he's definitely on my list of musicians to seek out.

:D

I kind of like the shirt with the fake nipples and all. I've got to get one for my next gig. I think it will go over great. Honestly, though, it is interesting how he has stuck with the blues and kept it more pure.

Not afraid to show my age when I tell ya my first encounter with Johnny Winter was at the Philadelphia Spectrum Arena in 1979!

The concert was billed as "5 for 5".
It was Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats, Starz, April Wine, Johnny Winter and Styx. 5 bands for 5 Bucks!

Wow! I wish those prices were still the norm :-)
Anyway, after the show we hung out at the tour buses and Johnny was the only guy to come out and great the fans! I got a sweet autograph on my brand new concert T from him. It was truly a moment to remember for me.
He inspired me to learn to play guitar and electric blues has been my main genre ever since.
The T shirt is long gone but the memory, i'll have that forever.
Thanks for the article guys!

Johnny is one of my favorites...him and his brother Edgar, excellent muscicians!

i really have never heard of him till now. cool ;)

Very interesting article.

One of the best slide players with the "sound of soul".
Saw him when I was pretty young live had he was amazing. At the time I had never heard of him. I was very impressed

5 bands for 5 bucks is still happening in the underground world!!! tons of great bands that hardly anyone knows about, but it sure ain't like the good old days...

:D

Beat him over the head with a yeast infection…

Now what are my chances of winning the raffle?...they'll probably invite me to pick up my prize and beat the crap outa me...and send the video to Johnny...

take the johnny winter version of "Honest I Do" from the red hot and blue album/cd.
Take the little richard version called "Send Me Some Lovin" from whichever Little Richard CD you have..
you do have them, right?
Record one version... but when the music stops..
switch to the other.
keep switching until the song is done.

You've now double the tunes length, gotten two different approaches and guess what. they really synch up nice.
Everyone who hears this digs it.
These guys voices are just fantastic.. the bands are hot.. the tunes are tuned together.. and the whole thing really rocks.

no need for dj turntable tricks no sampling jive.. just let 'em play.

I dig johnny. I was young when I started. I know I'll never stop.

The Edgar Brothers was one of the first concerts I went to when I was younger. Great article. Very inspiring

Thank you for this great article.

I think it's great to know as many great names as possible and to explore their playing in order to increase our knowledge and skills. I'll definitely be looking for music made by this guy.