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Colt1861Navy

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Re: Colt1861Navy post# 928

Sunday, 07/21/2002 10:27:43 PM

Sunday, July 21, 2002 10:27:43 PM

Post# of 1767
Rock 'n' Roll Artists A-Z...Johnny Winter

http://johnnywinter.prohosting.com/

http://members.tripod.com/~Plaza_Mike/links.html

The Texas guitar tradition runs deep. It's a gutsy school of blues playing, marked by thick tones, aggressive attack and tons of technique, all delivered in a flamboyant, swaggering style that is endemic to the Lone Star State. From T-Bone Walker and Clarence Gatemouth Brown on through Albert Collins and Freddie King, Billy Gibbons and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, the tradition of the Texas guitar slinger has lived on. One name that ranks high up that exclusive list is Johnny Winter, an international ambassador for rocking Texas blues for the last thirty years.

Born in Beaumont, Texas on February 23, 1944 John Dawson Winter III grew up surrounded by blues, country and Cajun music. His brother, Edgar, was born three years later and the two showed an inclination toward music at an early age. As Johnny told Down Beat Magazine, "We sang regularly, because Daddy loved to sing harmony. He sang in a barbershop quartet and in a church choir, so Edgar and I started singing as soon as we were born, almost." Johnny began playing clarinet at age five and switched to ukulele a few years later. Johnny and Edgar began performing as a duet in an Everly Brothers vein, winning talent contests and appearing on local television shows. When Johnny was 11 the Winter Brothers traveled to New York to audition for Ted Mack's "Original Amateur Hour". Soon after, their first exposure to rock'n'roll came through the music of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins and early Elvis Presley. They began soaking up the sound of rhythm & blues from DJ Clarence Garlow's Bon Ton Roulette Show on KJET radio in Beaumont. At age 14, Johnny organized his first band, Johnny and the Jammers. with brother Edgar on piano. A year later, they cut two songs at Bill Hall's Gulf Coast Recording Studios in Beaumont. The singles School Day Blues and You Know I Love You came out a month later on Houston-based Dart Records, gaining the Winter brothers some local notoriety. Around this time, Johnny began sitting in with DJ Clarence Garlow who performed around town and had a regional hit with Bon Ton Roulette. Johnny also frequented the Beaumont's all black Raven Club, where the aspiring blues guitarist got to see such heroes as Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Bobby Bland for the first time.

In the early 60's, Johnny cut singles for regional labels like KRCO, Frolic, Diamond, Goldband, Jim, and Todd. In 1963, he moved to Chicago to check out the burgeoning blues scene. Upon returning to Beaumont, Johnny cut Eternally a pop- flavored number with horn arrangements by Edgar, which Atlantic Records licensed. That tune became a big hit around the Texas-Louisiana area and suddenly Johnny was opening up area coliseum shows for the Everly Brothers and Jerry Lee Lewis. His regular band around this time was alternately known as the Crystaliers. After two-and-a-half years of barnstorming the Deep South, they settled in Houston where they spent 1967 as the house band at the Act III Club.

In 1968, Johnny began playing in a trio with bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner. Their gigs at places like Austin's Vulcan Gas Company and Houston's Love Street Light Circus attracted the attention of a Rolling Stone writer who had been working on a piece about the Texas hippie scene. The author devoted three paragraphs to Johnny, whom he referred to as "the hottest item outside of Janis Joplin". The article also created a flood of sudden interest in the album THE PROGRESSIVE BLUES EXPERIMENT, a collection of straight blues tunes that Johnny's trio had initially recorded at the Vulcan Gas Company and which was quickly picked up for national release by Imperial.

Johnny had been investigating the blues scene in England just as the Rolling Stone issue came out. Upon returning to Texas, he became the focus of a furious bidding war between major labels, eventually signing to Columbia with a much ballyhooed recording contract. His excellent debut LP, Johnny Winter, was released late in 1968. A series of classic hard rock'n'roll blues albums for Columbia followed: Second Winter (l969), Still Alive and Well (1973), and Saints and Sinners (1974). Later in '74 Johnny joined the CBS affiliate label Blue Sky, commencing with the rootsy John Dawson Winter III and Captured Live (1976).

In 1977, Johnny fulfilled a dream by producing Muddy Water's comeback album, Hard Again, which won a Grammy Award for Blue Sky. They made a formidable team, following up that success with the 1978's Grammy winner, I'm Ready, the 1979 Grammy winner Muddy Mississippi Waters Live and 1980's King Bee. As Johnny recalls of that period, "Working with Muddy made me feel people were finally realizing that I'm not faking, and can really play blues. I felt like those albums helped me establish myself.". In1977, Johnny also used Muddy's hand for one of his most acclaimed albums, the aptly named Nothin' But The Blues.

Johnny's final projects for Blue Sky were 1978's White Hot & Blue and 1980's Raisin' Cain. Following a four year hiatus from recording, he returned with a blues-fueled vengeance with his fine Alligator Records debut, the Grammy nominated Guitar Slinger. Two equally strong, rootsy projects for the label followed: l985's Serious Business, also nominated for a Grammy, and 1986's Third Degree which was listed in a book by Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Archivist Robert Santelli as one of the '101 Essential Blues Albums'. Johnny also produced and played on an album by blues harmonica great Sonny Terry called I Think I Got The Blues, which was also released on Alligator. His venture for the MCA-distributed Voyager label, The Winter of '88 was an attempt at crossing over with a more contemporary flavored product.

Johnny Winter was definitely back on track as a no-frills hard rocking bluesman with his Grammy-nominated Charisma/Point Blank debut Let Me In. Co-produced by Dick Shurman, the respected bluesologist who previously had a hand in Winter's three fine Alligator albums, Let Me In highlights the Texas guitar slinger at what be does best - burning shuffles, screaming slow blues, rocking raw abandon and vocals charged with passion. The opening track, Illustrated Man, was written especially with Johnny in mind by Nashville tunesmith, Fred James and his wife Mary Ann Brandon. Basically a catalog of all the many tattoos emblazoned on Winter's skin, the song also featured Johnny's scorching signature licks on his headless Lazer guitar (designed by Austin luither, Mark Erlewine). The follow-up was 1992's Hey Where's Your Brother? (Named after perhaps the most frequently asked question Johnny has heard). It too displayed Johnny Winter at the top of his form, melding the best of the blues and rock 'n' roll with unsurpassed power and passion, helping to insure his place as one of the most dependable and enduring blues/rock stars of all time. Like Let Me In, it was produced by Johnny and Dick Shurman and recorded in Chicago.

After a hiatus from recording except for a thrilling Highway 61 Revisited which highlighted Bob Dylan's 1992 30th anniversary tribute (released on Columbia CD and video), Johnny and his band of longtime drummer Torn Compton and bassist Mark Epstein took the stage at his home base, New York City's Bottom Line, in April 1997, and recorded the hard-hitting representative Johnny Winter Live In New York City '97 for Pointblank, again with Shurman producing. Continuing the focus of his two Pointblank studio albums, Johnny has chosen the firm timeless ground of the blues.

Johnny has spent the last four years touring the United States and abroad, even in the face of recent personal tragedies, such as the loss of his father in January 2001 and his own hip injury and resulting surgery, Winter still forged on in the building of his legendary acclaim. 2001 also marked the year of his first official video/DVD release encapsulating over 30 years of live performances, aptly named "Pieces & Bits", touted as "..the hottest blues guitar video in existence..". Currently in the works are a Sony/Legacy CD release entitled "Best of Johnny Winter" (coming out January 2002), a possible King Biscuit release of Johnny's 1974 live show from the renowned Flour Hour, a Johnny Winter Collection Tabulature Song Book, as well as a proposed biography. Also in the works for a 2002 release is a new studio album, the first two songs already completed and produced by Tom Hambridge (Susan Tedeschi), with Johnny turning to longtime producer Dick Shurman to finish out the release when he takes the flavor to Chicago. And, most importantly, Johnny Winter is feeling pretty good these days.

Chronology

1944 John Dawson Winter Ill born in Beaumont, Texas on February 23. His brother Edgar is born three years later.

1953-59 Johnny begins playing clarinet at age five; switches to ukelele and then guitar a few years later. Performing with his younger brother Edgar as a duet in an Everly Brothers vein, the Winters win talent contests and appear on local television shows.

1959 The Winter brothers travel to New York to audition for Ted Mack's "Original Amateur Hour." Soon thereafter, they receive their first taste of rock 'n' roll.

1962 At age 14 Johnny forms his first band, Johnny and the Jammers, with Edgar on piano. One year later, the brothers gain regional notoriety with the singles "School Day Blues" and "You Know I Love You" released 'on Houston-based Dart Records. During this time Johnny begins frequenting all-black blues clubs, and 'over the years he sits in with such heroes as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Bobby Bland.

1962-65 Johnny cuts singles as a leader and sideman for regional labels such as KRCO, Frolic, Diamond, Goldband, Jin, and Todd. In 1963 he moves to Chicago to check out the blues scene, but winds up playing twist clubs. He returns to Beaumont and records "'Eternally," a pop-flavored number with horn arrangements by Edgar; the single is licensed by Atlantic Records, and becomes a hit in the Texas-Louisiana region.

1965-67 Johnny gigs relentlessly throughout the Deep South, both with his own band (alternately known as the Crystalliers and It And Them) and in a band with Edgar (Black Plague).

1967 After 2 1/2 years of barnstorming, Johnny settles in Houston.

1968 Surveying the Texas music scene, Rolling Stone dubs Johnny Winter "the hottest item outside of Janis Joplin." The article creates a flood of interest in The Progressive Blues Experiment, an album of straight blues recorded by Winter's trio with bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner, released nationally by Imperial.

1968-74 Signed to a much-ballyhooed contract with Columbia Records, Johnny's scorching 1968 debut album Johnny Winter leads a steady stream of hard-hitting blues rock albums, including Second Winter (1969), Johnny Winter And (1970), Still Alive And Well (1973), and Saints And Sinners (1974).

1974-77 Winter joins CBS Records affiliate label Blue Sky, and releases John Dawson Winter III(1974). Other Blue Sky gems include Captured Live (1976) and his acclaimed 1977 album Nothin' But The Blues, which features Winter accompanied by Muddy Waters' band.

1977-80 Fulfilling a dream, Winter begins working with blues giant Muddy Waters; during the ensuing years they collaborate on a series of classic Blue Sky albums. Winter produces and plays on Waters' Grammy-winning comeback album Hard Again, Grammy-winning I'm Ready (1978), Grammy-winning Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live (1979), and King Bee (1980).

1984-86 Guitar Slinger Winter's Grammy-nominated 1984 Alligator Records debut, ends a four year recording hiatus and ushers in a new creative groove. His Alligator label output continues with the Grammy-nominated Serious Business (1985), 3rd Degree (1986), and producing/performing on harmonica great Sonny Terry's Think I Got The Blues.

1988 The Winter Of '88 on the MCA distributed Voyager label shows Winter experimenting with a more contemporary flavored sound.

1991 Winter returns to his blues roots with a vengeance: his Grammy-nominated Let Me In marks a powerful debut on the Pointblank label.

1992 Brandishing a tongue-in-cheek title and wicked, no-frills blues, Hey, Where's Your Brother? - Winter's sophomore Pointblank release -earns him, another Grammy nomination.

1992 Winter performs on "Highway 61 Revisited," a highlight of Bob Dylan's 30th anniversary tribute released by Columbia Records on CD and video.

1998 Live In NYC '97, Winter's third Pointblank record, offers a scorching collection of concert favorites. The first album of new Winter material in five years, Live In NYC '97 was recorded at New York's Bottom Line in April 1997. The songs were selected by members of Winter's fan club - and the entire album is intended as a gesture of gratitude by Winter to his many fans worldwide.

2000 Working on new long awaited studio album and 1st official video compilation release to be entitled "Pieces & Bits" while also touring extensively.

2001 Video has been released!!! Still working on studio album.

Johnny and the Jammers ( ? - ? ) (with brother Edgar Winter)

The Crystaliers( ? - ? ) (with brother Edgar Winter)

It and Them ( ? - ? ) (with brother Edgar Winter)

The Black Plague ( ? - ? ) (with brother Edgar Winter)

Johnny Winter (1968 - 1970)

Johnny Winter - guitar/vocals
Edgar Winter - keyboards/sax
Tommy Shannon - bass
"Uncle" John Turner - drums

Albums:
"The Progressive Blues Experiment" (1968)
"Johnny Winter" (1968)
"Second Winter" (1969)
Tommy Shannon later joins Stevie Ray Vaughan. Edgar Winter forms The Edgar Winter Group.

Johnny Winter And I (1970)

Johnny Winter - guitar/vocals
Rick Derringer - guitar/vocals - b. Rick Zehringer (Zherringer), August 5, 1947, Union City, Indiana - formerly with The McCoys.
Randy Jo Hobbs - bass/vocals - formerly with The McCoys.
Randy Zherringer - drums - formerly with The McCoys.

Album:
"Johnny Winter And" (1970)

Johnny Winter And II (1970 - 1971)

Johnny Winter - guitar/vocals
Rick Derringer - guitar/vocals
Randy Jo Hobbs - bass/vocals
Bobby Caldwell - drums

Album:
"Johnny Winter And Live" (1970) - Single: "Johnny B. Goode"
Rick Derringer goes solo. Randy Jo Hobbs joins Montrose.

Johnny Winter solo albums:

"Still Alive and Well" (1973)
"Saints & Sinners" (1974)
"John Dawson Winter III" (1974)
"Captured Live!" (1976)
"Together" (1976) (with brother Edgar Winter)
"Nothin' But the Blues" (1977)
"White, Hot & Blue" (1978)
"Raisin' Cain" (1980)
"Guitar Slinger" (1984)
"Serious Business" (1985)
"Third Degree" (1986)
"The Winter of '88" (1988)
"A Lone Star Kind of Day" (1990)
"Nightrider" (1991)
"Let Me In" (1991)
"Hey, Where's Your Brother?" (1992)
"Walking By Myself" (1992)
"Scorchin' Blues" (1993)
"White Lightning: Live at the Dallas International Motor Speedway" (1994)
"Birds Can't Row Boats" (1995)
"Broke and Lonely" (1996)
"Liberty Hall Sessions" (1997)
"Ease My Pain" (1997)
"Winter Heat" (1998)
"Live In NYC '97" (1998)
"Electric Blues Man" (2-CDs) (1999)

Compilations:

"Johnny Winter: A Rock n' Roll Collection" (2-CDs) (1995)
"Johnny Winter / Second Winter / Captured Live!" (3-CD box set) (1997)
"White Hot Blues" (1997)
"The Masters" (2-CDs) (1998)
"Blues In A Box" (3-CD box set) (1998)

Discography - Photos - Videos - Tour Dates - Revies - etc.

http://johnnywinter.prohosting.com/



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