Mind Over Matter

                                                                                                                                 Updated August 2022

When it comes to blisteringly hot lead guitar work, Texas-based blues-rock legend Johnny Winter sits at the head of the class. Born in Texas in 1944, Johnny Winter consistently presented the world with his own form of blues-rock until he passed away on July 16, 2014.

In 1970, Johnny Winter formed a new band named Johnny Winter And with former members of the McCoy's ("Hang on Sloopy"). The group featured Connecticut-favorite Rick Derringer on guitar.  

Among Johnny Winter's outstanding albums are Johnny Winter And Live, Second Winter, 1973's classic Still Alive & Well, John Dawson Winter III, Guitar Slinger and Hey, Where's Your Brother?

Johnny Winter was one of the few rock/blues guitarists who had such a distinctive style, you knew it was them playing after hearing just a few notes. Carlos Santana, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Robbie Kreiger of the Doors are among the members of that class.

Although Johnny Winter's rapid-fire finger work on the guitar is legendary, he was also a top-rate slide-guitarist.

Johnny Winter's brother, Edgar Winter, is also an internationally known rock musician. As the leader of the Edgar Winter Group, he is well-known for his funky, instrumental "Frankenstein," as well as "Tobacco Road" and "Free Ride." 

Prior to forming the Edgar Winter Group, Edgar was the leader of Edgar Winter's White Trash, which released the classic live album Roadwork. Many, many times, Rock & Roll, Hoochie Koo and the 17:13 version of Tobacco Road have blasted from the different stereos I've owned.

In 1970, Edgar Winter released his Entrance solo album. In 1972, the hugely successful They Only Come Out at Night" album was released by the Edgar Winter Group.

In  April 1984, I had the opportunity to attend a live Edgar Winter concert at the former Agora Ballroom in West Hartford, Connecticut. I think I was pretty trashed, but I do remember Edgar putting on a great show, especially with his saxophone work. The highlight of the night was when the band performed a scorching version of "Frankenstein."

Both Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter's musical contributions maintain a real sense of exceitement and timelessness that make them as vital and entertaining as ever.