Brothers in Rock and Roll: Guitarist Johnny and multi-instrumentalist Edgar, albino rbothers, hit the rock/blues scene as the 1970's dawned, achieving notoriety and success both together and as solo artists.
Production Notes:
Elite Records
Liner notes: Brothers Johnny and Edgar Winter started their professional musical careers back in the mid-Sixties when they played in a variety of local Texan bands, eventually moving to Chicago where as members of an outfit called Black Plague they worked many of the local clubs. In 1968 while playing regular gigs at a New York club The Scene, and being managed by its owner Steve Paul, the brothers came to the attention of various record companies. Early the following year Johnny was signed by CBS Records to a five year contract for a reputed $300,000 and his debut album was released in June, reaching Number 24 in the US chart. The same year 1969 saw Johnny Winter appearing live at various major gigs in the US including the three-day Newport Festival in California, the Newport Jazz Festival on Rhode Island, and at the Texas International Pop Festival held in Dallas where he appeared before an estimated 120,000 people. The new decade saw the release of a second Johnny Winter album, Second Winter, which became a best-seller while a single from it, a revival of the rock and roll classic Johnny B Goode, was also a minor hit. The album also gave Johnny a taste of British chart success reaching Number 58. Live performances continued to play an important role in his career, and appearances included the Atlanta Pop Festival, and a New York Shea Stadium anti-war festival where he appeared on the same bill as Paul Simon, Steppenwolf, Janis Joplin and many other top rock names. Meanwhile brother Edgar, who had featured on Johnny's album Second Winter, had formed his own band White Trash, and the debut album Edgar Winter's White Trash became an American chart hit while a single 'Keep Playin' That Rock 'n' Roll' also entered the Billboard Hot 100. May 1972 saw the release of a Whitetrash double-album Roadwork which reached Number 23 in the US chart while a reworking of the soul classic 'I Can't Turn You Loose' was also a hit single. Soon afterwards however Edgar decided to disband the outfit, and went on to form The Edgar Winter Group. The first album with the new line-up They Only Come Out At Night', produced by Rick Derringer, was a major chart hit in the States, climbing as high as Number Three and earning Winter his first gold disc.
In 1973 the Edgar Winter Group also found themselves with a surprise Number One hit single in the US when an instrumental 'Frankenstein', which had originally been the B-side of 'Hangin' Around', suddenly started picking up heavy airplay and went on to sell a million copies. 'Frankenstein' also became a British Top 20 hit while Edgar enjoyed another Top 20 success in the US with 'Free Ride'. The mid-Seventies saw both brothers continuing to make an impression on the US charts. 'Hangin' Around' itself became a hit for Edgar after the success of its B-side 'Frankenstein', and a new album 'Shock Treatment' reached Number 13 and gold status. Two Edgar Winter singles 'River's Risin' and 'Easy Street' also found favour with record-buyers. Brother Johnny meanwhile had a Top 40 hit with the album 'Saint And Sinners'. In the summer of 1976 the two brothers teamed up for a new album Together, then early the following year Johnny produced a Muddy Waters comeback album and toured with the blues legend who had been one of his heroes. He also recorded his own solo album 'Nothin' But The Blues' which was released in 1977, followed by 'White Hot And Blue' in 1978. The Eighties saw both brothers continue recording, albeit in different capacities. While Johnny has released several albums for independent labels and appeared at events like the San Francisco Blues Festival, younger brother Edgar has concentrated more on session work working with names like Meat Loaf and Bette Midler. Who is to tell what the future will bring though - it's not impossible that Edgar will return to recording in his own right or working once again with his brother.
Until that day happens though, there is still the Edgar Winter catalogue to delve into and this new compilation Brothers In Rock 'n' Roll features 10 of his best recordings, alongside another 10 from brother Johnny. It's a collection that justifies its title, and underlines the contribution they have made to the rock and roll, and blues music scene.
Chris White
Tracks:
- Frankenstein - Edgar Winter
- Johnny B. Goode - Johnny Winter
- Let it bleed - Johnny Winter
- Tobacco road - Edgar Winter
- I can't turn you loose - Edgar Winter
- Jumpin Jack Flash - Johnny Winter
- Back in the USA - Edgar Winter
- Good morning little schoolgirl - Johnny Winter
- Like a rolling stone - Johnny Winter
- Bony Moronie - Johnny Winter
- Highway 61 revisited - Johnny Winter
- It's all over now - Johnny Winter
Comments and Reviews:
Brothers in Rock and Roll
Johnny Winter Compilation albums
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