Johnny passed away recently in a hotel room in Switzerland of reasons unknown at the time of this article. However, it is well known that Winter had not been in the best of health over these, his last years; yet he was still managing to thrill audiences with his fluid fingers and amazing talent.
Born John Dawson Winter III in the state of Texas February 1944, "Johnny" as he became known and his just as talented brother Edgar, were urged along by their parents at very young ages in the field of music. By the time Johnny was age ten, he joined Edgar on stage and played the ukulele and sang on a local children's television show.
By age fifteen, Winter had made his first recording and by 1968 his first album, "The Progressive Blues Experiment," released on a local Houston, TX. label Sonobeat Records. Later on that year, Johnny was asked to play a tune at the Fillmore East in New York City by his buddy Mike Bloomfield, who along with Al Kooper, were the acts that evening. Winter performed B.B. King's "Its My Own Fault" and witnesses say he blew the roof off of the historic concert venue; so much so that the representatives of Columbia Records who just happened to be in attendance signed him within days with a reported advance bonus of $600,000; an unheard amount at the time.
Johnny had long been studying blues masters such as B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Big Walter Horton, and Muddy Waters; allowing them to both shape and heavily influence his career as well as its direction. Winter would go on to not only perform with these greats but to produce albums for Waters and multiple other blues artists; garnering Grammy nominations and victories.
Several years ago now, this writer had an opportunity to meet Winter prior to a performance at a winery in New Hope, PA. Not being sure what to expect upon entering into his lowly lit tour bus, my nerves were mildly on edge as I was about to meet a guitar legend. The encounter that followed was not what I had anticipated but a dichotomy of history both past and present, youth and advanced age, health versus wellness and the eerie feeling that this man's battles, demons and struggles were all exorcised as he was seemingly at ease yet tired and weary.
Johnny's guitarist and road manager directed the meeting, offering up beverages and snacks; all lost on me as in this moment I found myself firmly torn between feeling sad and wanting to pick this piece of musical history's brain. You see, Winter's health was the roller coaster just before it's about to crest the first big hill to drop. He spoke in breathy tones and his failing eyesight would not allow for much emotion to be deciphered, had it not been for the occasional voice inflection and the few smiles that crossed his dour lips when asked about a certain gig or guitar; I'd have not known if he was even lucid.
This was Johnny Winter and the meeting which lasted a sum total of twenty minutes, was still one of the finest moments in my fledgling radio/journalism career. The encounter was informative, sobering and oddly enough exhilarating all in one. Upon exiting his motor home, thoughts of the show and his pending performance raced through my mind as I was questioning whether or not this once dominant player was going to be able to deliver the goods on stage.
The long line of attendees had dissipated and my time spent in Winter's presence had allowed for easy entry into the field house where the show was to take place. The opening act, a local New Jersey band called Blues In Disguise, featured Paul Plumeri, one of best blues guitarists on the entire eastern seaboard. They performed what was arguably perhaps one of their best sets of all time; garnering a standing ovation from the intimate crowd of approximately 200. Thoughts of the opener outshining the headliner began to creep into my head based solely on what I'd witnessed only an hour earlier.
Winter's designated time had come and gone with no appearance and the crowd, made up of predominantly, shall we say, "experienced" fans seemed to be getting restless. From my vantage point stage left, I was ushered aside as the near door opened and several stage handlers, along with security guards opened a pathway for the frail, hunched over Winter as they grasped him by hand and led him to the stage. Once there, while the appreciative crowd stood and applauded this piece of musical history, a crew member placed a chair center stage. Winter was seated while another placed a guitar in his hands. What took place next was nothing short of magical; this man, who only two hours before, had to be directed where to look for photos, transformed right before my very eyes.
Gone was the frail, slow moving and tired individual from the bus and in his place was an extremely talented artist; the canvas on which he painted being the fret board of his Fender Guitar. Winter seemed to travel back in time as his fingers swiftly flew along the neck, tickling the strings with precision and grace. Every bending note, every lead ride played to perfection as if he'd never aged a minute from his hey day. The breathy, halted voice was also gone as he growled and clawed his way through his repertoire. What was witnessed on this evening was pure and raw ability, straight forward blues and rock 'n' roll played masterfully by one of the best.
The hour plus set ended and Winter was once again led off stage, looking every bit the tired, frail man he did earlier. Was it the healing powers of music which transported him while on stage? Perhaps it was the adrenaline of a capacity crowd? Whatever the case, Johnny left it all on stage, performing an incredible set and giving the crowd what they paid for. Nobody can say they were cheated by this man now on the right side of his mid-sixties.
The news of his passing marks yet another end of a lengthy career. Players and performers like Winter and his ilk are becoming fewer and farther between as time and age encroaches upon their abilities and lives. The things they've seen, the trails they've blazed the adversity they've faced, whether self inflicted or circumstantial all melded into making them who they are and/or were. Some of the greatest music from Beethoven to today has been born from adversity, tragedy and personal struggles. Battling stigmas, heroin and whatever else came along, Johnny Winter never waivered, always playing his best; even when he may not have been at his. So, here's to you Johnny, the pleasure was all mine....Rock On my friend, rock on.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Sun. 9 p.m. Thomas Johnston
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Wed. 7 p.m. FREE Salsa Lessons
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge
835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington
(609) 267-1200
Fri. 7 p.m. FLINTface, Brenden Star, Treetop Casino
Sat. 8 p.m. The One 2s, take #13
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. John Simon Quartet (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
(609) 394-7437
Thurs. 5 p.m. Remembering Never, Vice, An Aborted Memory, DieVersE, Guttersnipe, Hounds, Deadletter, (TBA). All ages, $12
Fri. 7 p.m. Burn The Empire, Enemies Deceased, Aspects, I Am The Trireme, Morbid Visions. All ages, $8/$10
Sat. 5 p.m. Headbang For The Highway Presents: "The Battle for Mayhem Fest 2014 feat. Dock Ellis, Extractus, Another Vendetta, Kingdoms, Chaos, Agents Of Agression, Earthbound Immortals, Paradigms, The Artisan, (TBA). All ages, $15.
Wed. 4 p.m. All ages, $12/$
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night
Sat. 8 p.m. The Tones
Sun. 3 p.m. Charles Laurita & The Mischief
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. The Kim Yarson Band
Halo Pub
9 Hullfish St. Princeton
(609) 921-1710
Sat. 6 p.m. (TBA)
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 10 p.m. Beat The Clock DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. The Shaun Ruymen Band
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Se7en Band
Sun. 6 p.m. The Temporaries $5 (cover charge)
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge
Tues. 8 p.m. Original Music Series feat. Nytrous
Wed. 8 p.m. Local Original Unplugged w/ Pat Foran, Heather Werline
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Trentones
Sat. 10 p.m. The Buicks
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 9 p.m. Murphy's Law
Sat. (3 p.m.) Speak (9:30 p.m.) The Sean Faust / Robert Fulton Duo and Friends
Sun. (3 p.m.) Mr. & Mrs. Seward (9:30 p.m.) Jamie Salvatore
Mon. Open Mic. w/ Chris
Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Radio Fiction
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Paint the Roses Tea and Café Restaurante
37 W. Broad St. Hopewell
(609) 466-8200
Sat. 11 a.m. Bryan Hill
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. JL Love Band
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Black Cat Habitat
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Blues in Disguise
Paulie's Restaurant & Saloon
234 W. Upper Ferry Rd. West Trenton
(609) 882-1150
Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Retro Memories
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (5 p.m.) Jim Arcoleo. $10 Buffet (9 p.m.) Radio Fiction (10:30 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo
Sat. The Trenton House Music Festival Pre-Party. $15/$20
All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
(609) 585-5255
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Fri. (6 p.m.) John & Maggs (9:30 p.m.) Psycho Misfits
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Shore Blue
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Never Enough
Sat. 9 p.m. Beach Party
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Bike Night / Drunk Monkeys
Sun. 1 p.m. Bikes, Burgers, Beer w/ Run For Cover
The Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 8 p.m. Johnny Ott / Joey Affatato. Doors at 7:30 p.m., $5
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. War Machine
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Alright Alright
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. John & Maggs
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: OK, good
Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 10 p.m. Amy Lynn & The Gunshow
Fri. 10 p.m. Jack Grace Band. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Crucial. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
Mom. 9 p.m. The Southern Belles
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
