Johnny Winter
Is it true that veteran bluesman Johnny Winter is seriously ill?
Tags: JohnnyWinter, bluesman
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sheryl on
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Johnny Winter played Bluesfest International last July. Although he was quiet before the show, and we spent about 45 minutes with him, he played one hell of a set. If he is ill, he is hiding it well while playing exceptional. But that was last summer. Anyone else know?
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Permalink Reply by Don Fenton on -
We opened for Johnny last April and I was hangin' on the bus with John and the band.....my wife made them home made cookies! He was smokin' up a storm, almost blind and couldn't walk very well.....but I have to say, played like he always has. Whatever energy he has he musters for his performances. I was half in the bag and kissed him on the forehead.......and will remember that till I die. God bless Johnny Winter.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Salovitch on -
Thank you, Don, for sharing that little anecdote Although I, obviously, was nowhere around, you described it so well that I can almost imagine being there, too.
P.S. Mind if I borrow your memory and make it one of my own? Even if you do mind, too bad, because it's already happened.
Cheers,
MemphisBelle
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Permalink Reply by Don Fenton on
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Of course you can........it's good enough to share!
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Permalink Reply by Laura Salovitch on
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Actually, Don, I have my own Johnny Winter anecdote, although it's not nearly the caliber of yours. Each year the city sponsors a Memphis-In-May Beale Street Music Festival, and for decades Johnny Winter and Jerry Lee Lewis were perennial performers. No matter what evil f***ery was going on in the world, each May we could upon Johnny and Jerry Lee to appear.
Until roughly 2007, that is. Jerry Lee, but no Johnny. I actually contacted the festival promoters to make sure he wasn't somehow being left off the invitation list--that's how engrained the whole thing had become to us Memphians. It was shortly afterward that I read somewhere that Johnny's physical condition was such that he could perform only in a seated position. Selfishly, I didn't see that as much of a problem. I'd have gladly held the chair!
Ever since then, silence. That's why I contacted y'all upon this site. It's heartening to find that I'm not the only one who practically reveres Johnny Winter.
Cheers,
MemphisBelle
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Permalink Reply by Don Fenton on
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I listen to XM Radio all the time and the blues station (imagine that!) and I hear about him gigging all over the world still and quite a lot, so he's still keeping up a tough schedule. He's a strong guy either way.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Salovitch on
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Then that must mean he's just blowing off our annual Beale Street Blues Festival. Maybe the annual linkup with Jerry Lee Lewis has started getting on his nerves. (I think I could understand that.)
If you and your band should happen to encounter him in your travels, please give him a nudge in our direction.
Someone's gotta initiate Memphis' younger folks into the blues, and it may as well be the master, no?
Thank you for corresponding with me,
MemphisBelle
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Permalink Reply by Don Fenton on
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Could be.......I don't know. I'd imagine with failing health, he's getting picky on where he plays? One thing I noticed on the tour bus, was how his band takes care of him (care givers) and I assume they sway big with him on where they go next and what to accept. If he's around in 5 years I would be surprised.
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