Tour Dates in 2002
For Reviews of the concerts see: Concert Reviews Page
Wednesday, 19 June 2002: B.B. King Blues Club, Manhattan
Johnny Winter comes on stage at 8:59 P.M. Johnny has a cane and is helped on stage by two assistants. Johnny is frail and shaking. Father time has not been kind to Johnny. Gone is the brash, outrageous, growling Johnny I saw at his Fillmore East debut on February 14, 1969, with Sam & Dave. Gone is the slinky, dastardly, daring Johnny of the "Guitar Slinger" tour of 1984. Johnny Winter is very courageous in the face of obviously, extremely failing health. The first two songs are both instrumental boogie blues. Johnny's playing is difficult and slow. But fearless Johnny will not be deterred. Song three is much stronger with lead vocals and lead guitar playing improving markedly. Now I see Johnny Winter's old guitar licks coming through again: come on Johnny, come on !!!!!!!
Song four is titled, "What Ya' Gonna
Do."
The next tune is called, "Good Time Charlie." Johnny is having obvious tremors. I am distraught with concern for Johnny's health. The harmonica player, James Montgomery, takes a tasteful lead vocal on this tune. It is so unusual to see anyone else but Johnny sing lead vocals. The next number is a slow blues called, "How Lucky Can One Man Be." Gone are the super flashy extended lead runs that never seemed to end, with the growls added for effect. His leads are slow and deliberate, tasteful and well phrased, but it's just not the same Johnny. I should be very glad, he's even here to play for us at all, and for that I am extremely thankful!!! The double time tempo from the drummer drives Johnny to some inspirational blues playing for the latter part of this tune. Johnny finally gets rolling and seems to get hot. Song seven features the drummer, Wayne June, on lead vocals. He has an unusual style that is very animated. Johnny exhibits some of his best lead playing here. Now were seeing some of the old Johnny.
Sunday, 14 July 2002 - Little Bob + Poppa Chubby + Johnny Winter Parc des Noues de Montereau (16h00)
Little Bob fait partie des mythes vivants de l'histoire du rock français 1 jour 18 Euros/2 Jours 25 Euros. The Home-Of-Rock web page has some very nice Photos of this concert.
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Tuesday, 16 July 2002 - Festival des Guitares - Patrimonio
Thursday, 18 July 2002 - Johnny Winter + Wishbone Ash Cooperative de Mai - Clermont Ferrand
Un des plus grands guitaristes blues-rock américain. An extensive interview with Johnny Winter can be found in the Magazine section.
Friday, 19 July 2002 - Johnny Winter Festival Voix du Gaou - Six Fours
Saturday, 20 July 2002 - Festive de Font Robert
Monday, 22 July 2002 - Theatre de la Mer - Sete
Wednesday, 18 September 2002 - Harpers Ferry, Allston MA
Friday, 20 September 2002 - Club Liquid, Leominster, MA
Saturday, 21 September 2002 - Pearl Street, North Hampton, MA
Friday, 4 October 2002- The Stadium Theater, Woonsocket
Saturday, 5 October 2002 - The Julian Studley Theater, SUNY/New Paltz
Wednesday, 30 October 2002 - Luther's Blues Madison, WI
Review and Photos by Tony Bonyata
When Texas blues guitar slinger Johnny Winter tottered out onto the stage last Wednesday evening with cane in hand, only to be assisted to a seat in the front of the stage (where he remained for the duration of his thirteen song set) it may have, at first, appeared as though his days of laying down his own brand of white hot blues might soon be numbered. But with his still-nimble fingers, soulful heart and a taut, sinewy backing band, this 58-year old blues-rocker still showed, like so many other elderly blues greats before him, that he's still got his mojo working overtime.
Winter first began his career in the late '60s working with The Progressive Blues Experiment before branching out on his own with his debut Texas-spiced blues album Johnny Winter. The singer/ guitarist gained more commercial success throughout the '70s when he released albums with more of a rock 'n' roll kick to them, such as Still Alive and Well, Saints and Sinners and the two stunning live collections Johnny Winter And, and Captured Live. Then in 1977 Winter produced and performed on Muddy Waters' Grammy Award winning comeback album Hard Again, as well as using the talents of Waters on his own back-to-basics album Nothin' But The Blues. And while his rock 'n' roll sensibilities have never really left him, it was the soulful mourn of the blues that Johnny has predominately stuck to ever since. So it was no surprise when the seated Winter, with long white pony-tail, grizzled white beard and a sleeveless black t-shirt exposing his rail-thin arms decorated in faded tattoos, tore through a rousing set of scorching blues numbers guaranteed to raise the roof off any juke joint. Although Winter's voice lacked the raw, guttural punch of his youth, his guitar-work, which still showcased a few blinding solos, more than made up for it. Despite having surgery on his hip last year (resulting from a bad fall) which he's still, apparently, slowly recovering from, as well as taking medication to combat his anxiety attacks, Winter, nonetheless, did what he does best, and that's play some damn fine guitar.
But even more than the frontman's own musical prowess, it was his choice of well-seasoned bandmembers - James Montgomery (harp/ vocals), Scott Spray (bass) and Wayne June (drums) - that really stoked the flames of this fiery performance. From Montgomery's smoking-gun harp solos, animated stage antics and ballsy vocals on a few numbers, including a rousing cover of Bo Diddley's "Mona," to the tighter-than-a-gnat's-ass-stretched-over-a-pickle-barrel rhythm section of Spray and June, Winter could've been in a coma and the house still would've come down around them. Despite the fact that his guitar sounded strangely out of step on a cover of Waters' "Got My Mojo Working," Winter thankfully, however, wasn't in a deep sleep as he proved on the slower tempo blues of "Black Cat," the rollicking "Lone Wolf" (a new song from his forthcoming studio album due in the spring of 2003), as well as a cover of Freddie King's "Sen-sa-shun," where his devilish leads snaked throughout. The highlight of the evening was saved for last, when the guitarist traded in his Laser guitar for his prized Gibson Firebird on a harrowing version of J.B. Lenoir's "Mojo Boogie,"where he dished out a menacing slide guitar that left the packed house famished for more. Opening for Winter was the 78-year old Mississippi bluesman T-Model Ford. With nothing more than a drummer and his electric guitar, Ford, clad in a flannel shirt, beat-up baseball cap and warm smile, held sway with his audience with his own brand of rough hewed Delta blues and dusty, hypnotic rhythms performed on his guitar.
Friday, 1 November 2002 - House of Blues, Chicago, IL
Saturday, 2 November 2002 - The Royal Oak Theater/Magic Bag, Royal Oak, MI
Photo Gallery from the Royal Oak Theatre
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Friday, 22 November 2002 - Baltimore Thunderdome
Wednesday, 30 January 2002: Internet interview with USATODAY
Johnny Winter is considered by many to be one of the greatest blues-rock artists of all time. His musical career began at the age of fourteen, when he and keyboard-playing brother Edgar formed Johnny and the Jammers in their home town of Beaumont, Texas. Since that time, Johnny crafted his own and reinterpreted others' blues standards and rock classics including B.B. King's Rock Me Baby, Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode and Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited. His latest release, The Best of Johnny Winter, is now available on Sony/Legacy. Talk to Johnny Winter about music past and present.
Ontario, California : Johnny, who are you listening to these days? Thanks, Jimbo
Johnny Winter: I like to listen to old records I grew up with, like Muddy Waters .
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Hi Johnny, I am a longtime fan of yours and I am curious as to which drummer and bass player you have enjoyed playing with throughout your career? I really liked the years with Jon Paris, and Tom Compton. Thank You for your time, Leila
Johnny Winter: Tom Compton is probably my favorite.
Brooklyn, NY : Dear Johnny, Your recent live shows and recordings have all consisted entirely of blues. Don't get me wrong - I love your blues music - but I also used to enjoy hearing you play some good ol' rock and roll. Will you ever play rock music again? Thanks, Steve
Johnny Winter: I probably will do a little bit of it, but I like the blues the best.
Niagara Falls.Ont. Canada. : THANKS FOR OVER 30 YEARS OF THE THE GREATEST LIVE SHOWS AND THE MOST INCREDIBLE BLUES. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TOLD YOU PURCHASED YOUR 1958 FLYING V IN MONTREAL, CANADA. I KNOW YOU DO NOT PLAY IT IN CONCERT ANYMORE HOWEVER IS THAT WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT AND DO YOU STILL OWN IT? HAVE A GREAT 2002.
Johnny Winter: No, it was stolen from me, but I don't remember where it happened. I'm not sure whether I bought it in Montreal -- it was too long ago!
Minneapolis, MN : If you could change anything about your career, what would it be? Or wouldn't you change anything?
Johnny Winter: I don't think I'd change anything.
England : Have you or Edgar ever considered writing a biography of your experiences and musical career?
Johnny Winter: We've talked about it a lot, it just hasn't been the right time or the right person to do it with. I hope I do someday.
Mesa, Arizona : Thanks for so many years of cranking out the music. Your music still gets plenty of air time in this house. How is your health, and what is an average day for you? Thanks....Lyle
Johnny Winter: Average day? I watch a lot of television, practice a couple of times a week, and that's about it. And I'm feeling fine, thank you.
Carnoustie, Scotland : You have played with a lot of different musicians in various incarnations of your band. Do you ever see any of the old guys - particularly Rick Derringer - would you record or tour with Rick again? Little Foster
Johnny Winter: No, I wouldn't. I prefer playing with one guitar instead of two. And no, I don't keep in touch with Rick Derringer.
Stevensville, MD : There is something of a resurgence of slide players these days. Have you heard any that especially impress you as contributing something new and unique? What do you listen to most often when you kick back and relax?
Johnny Winter: No, I don't listen to a lot of new music, so I'm kind of behind the times on that.
Shelbyville, Indiana : Are you planning on touring again anytime sone?
Johnny Winter: Yes, I am. I'm going to do my record first, though. I'll be going into the studio in the next month.
digby nova scotia : Any chance of you recording a lightnin' hopkins song on the new album?
Johnny Winter: I don't think so, no.
St. Paul Minnesota : Do you ever play the tune "broke down engine" anymore?
Johnny Winter: No, I don't. It's an acoustic song, and I don't play acoustic songs in person.
Moncton, nb : Hi, Johnny. I was wondering if there are going to be any acoustic stuff on your upcoming pointblank release? I would love to hear some new stuff on your old nationals. Ever think about doing a newer version of your old song "Low down gal of mine"?
Johnny Winter: I probably will do an acoustic song or two on my new record, but I don't think I'll be redoing "Low Down Gal of Mine".
Sacramento, CA : How was it to work with Gregg Allman? Were you and Duane close?
Johnny Winter: I loved working with Gregg, and Duane too.
Houston,TX : Why is Beaumont, TX always named as your hometown? What happened to Leland, Mississippi? Do you remember Joe Frank Carolla?(Nominated for a Grammy years ago for "Don't Pull Your Love" while part of Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds) I also believe Joe Frank drove you to school in Leland on a yellow school bus. I would venture to guess that The Delta has a larger heritage of the blues than Beaumont. Don't get me wrong, I like Beaumont, but Leland better. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks! Price Williams
Johnny Winter: I wasn't born in Leland, I was born in Beaumont, but my father was in the army at the time and my mother didn't want me to be born in Leland where there were no hopitals. And no, Joe Frank Carolla didn't drive me to school -- but I do know who he is.
Stevensville, MD : Not many people know that you headlined the historic Allman Brothers shows at the Fillmore East in '71. Was that the first time you had heard Duane's playing and was it tough following up such a killer set? (As I recall, your set was also great, by the way).
Johnny Winter: We did do the show, and I just played my normal set and didn't worry about what Duane was doing.
Delsbo, Sweden : Any plans on recording another "rock album" like Raisin Cain and the JW And-projects? I'm a blues fan and you're one of the greatest of that genre, but I also love your interpretations of Dylan, Womack etc. That mixture of slide guitar, blues licks and heavy, melodic rock is much too rare in today's music and noone did it better than you!
Johnny Winter: Not really any plans for doing that now.
halifax nova scotia : You did The Oakie Dokie Stomp in concert in the early 90's have you ever recorded that song but in the studio but never released it? keep rockin bob
Johnny Winter: No, I've never recorded it, and I have no plans to at the moment.
Carnoustie, Scotland : Johnny, I have been a fan since '71 and would just love to be able to say I had seen you play live just once before I die! You don't make it very easy though do you? Any chance of a proper British tour ... and I don't mean a Blues Festival ... I mean a TOUR? In the past you have headed off to mainland Europe nad ignored the UK - particularly Scotland! Little Foster
Johnny Winter: No plans for that right now.
Pittston Maine : I've seen you several times up here in Maine hope come again. My question is what guitar are you playing in concert now.
Johnny Winter: It's called the Laser, and I got it in Austin Texas. But I still play my Firebird guitar for slide.
Nov 2002: Johnny Winter still enthused at 58
By MICHAEL ZITZ
The Free Lance-Star THE
FREE LANCE-STAR
Blues rock legend Johnny Winter has been playing professionally for over four decades now-- since he was 15 years old--but his enthusiasm for the road is as keen as ever at age 58.
"I just love it," Winter said Sunday in a telephone interview from a tour stop in Connecticut. "I love to play. Lucky I get paid for it, because I'd probably do it for nothing if I had to."
Winters tours one month, takes one month off, then goes back out again.
When he's home, he says he spends most of his time watching television.
"I like 'The Simpsons' a lot," he said. "I watch Nick at Nite, Archie Bunker, "Leave it to Beaver,"--all the comedy shows."
In 1959, Johnny Winter began playing with his saxophone and keyboard playing brother Edgar Winter. But the Beaumont, Texas, native didn't become a national figure until Rolling Stone featured him in 1968 and he signed with Columbia Records.
Johnny Winter's blazing slide guitar, combined with the fact that he is an albino, made him highly recognizable in the '70s and '80s. Winter, who plays the State Theatre in Falls Church Saturday night, credits blues great B.B. King with helping him get started.
He said King let him sit in with his band after Winter "bugged" him obnoxiously."
Winter said that in 1961, when he was 17, he and Edgar came to a King show. An albino dressed in a trench coat, Winter must have been a strange sight.
"He didn't want to let me play at all. At first he thought I was from the IRS," Winter laughed. "He thought the IRS was coming to get him because white folks didn't come to his shows then and because we were wearing trench coats. He thought we were coming after him about his taxes."
Winter said the big difference between his early days and today is that in the beginning, there were very few white blues fans.
"It was hard just finding people who wanted to hear the blues," he said.
He credited Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn with engaging white audiences, but many say Winter himself played a major role.
He has mixed rock songs such as "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" with blues fare like "Rollin' and Tumblin'" to remain relevant.
Winter, who produced and played on several Muddy Waters albums, is credited with helping Waters receive the mainstream attention he so richly deserved.
Winter himself was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1986.
Date published: Thu, 21 Nov 2002