I've seen Johnny 6 times...and nobody can duplicate how complex his playing truly is/was. In my opinion...Johnny was the ultimate "master guitarist of the blues."
I opened for Johnny in Cours, France. It was the concert before his last show when he died. He was one of my hero's. Everyone after sound check went back to the hotel but Johnny stayed...so I stayed. There was a door between our dressing room. I could hear him quiet. So I slid my chair up to the door and sang to him with my hand drum for at least 30 to 40 minutes. He never said a word... he probably fell asleep. Lol. He was so old skinny and frail...they had to carry him about. As I was walking onto stage I walked by the bathrooms I looked and there He was sitting on the throne with the door wide open looking out. What a way to see him. But I have heard so many stories... he did one more concert and then he died. I loved his playing since I heard him when I was 12. I am 63 now. ❤
my brother inlaw was a studio musician who played on Edgar winter albums. he took me to the studio one day and Johnny was there playing slide guitar. i was star struck and amazed by his playing. thanks for keeping the music alive. you rock Fil
I used to be a SRV freak.... Still am a fan..BUT When I started to REALLY PAY ATTENTION.... And my guitar playing got better.... THATS When I noticed what a badass Johnny Winter was!!! And a lot of what I heard on SRV. Songs came straight from Mr Winter!
Interesting thing, find SRV's roots in Jimi Hendrix. Johnny Winter is one of a kind. He shares with SRV being a Texas blues guitarist. Both SRV and Johnny were one of a kind - children of the Texas blues tradition. Just my opinion.
@@curtvaughan2836 Texas has produced some amazing guitar players but Johnny and Stevie were (as you said) one of a kind. So thankful for the time and music they shared with us
He NEVER needed the effects he just played it- I would love to see todays best play his music and sing it at the same time- I have never seen a duplicate come close- just ABSOLUTELY the best ever
I saw Johnny twice in the 70's after I had been playing for quite a few years myself. I remember how mesmerized I was staring at his hands on the guitar. I was blown away! Thanks for dissecting Johnny in such detail Fil, never saw anyone do that before. Only a fellow guitarist can really appreciate someone like Johnny and it's great to see someone your age that really "gets" a talent like his. I wish he was still around.
Wings of Pegasus ROCKS!!! Ya Phil is such an expert at explaining every single detail and he has so much in depth knowledge (which I thought I had but noooo).
I've seen Johnny 6 times...he never showed any signs of "being lost" on what to play next. He never ran out...of any licks...good licks. It was effortless. Nobody was better.
Johnny was incredible. I saw him many years ago and he wouldn't stop the show. The police actually had to come in and shut him down. The officers were trying to get me to leave but I told them that I'd paid for my ticket and was going to stay until Mr Winter finished his show. So me and a few buddies held on until they (the cops) shut him down. You could tell that he was NOT pleased; the man wanted to PLAY! RIP Johnny...thanks for the music.
I saw Johnny winter three times a d I actually got to shake his hand and get his autograph. I have seen Stevie ray Vaughn, buddy guy, John Fogarty, Santana they all were great but Johnny stood out as the best of the them.
My english is very bad but I do my best....and I have to say , I like and learn much with your video !!!! Mister Winter Is a so great musician I listen and love for man and many years ( I'am 65 years old...) Thanks so much .
My Brother Steve got the Nod from Johnny in a Toledo Ohio interview when asked directly To Johnny Winter "is there any guitar players that play like you and Johnny answered Steve Foster plays a lot like me! What a beautiful compliment and may they both now be playing together in Heaven. Steve Foster 2-10-54 - 2-14-2023 RIP both of them!
I met Johnny and Edgar in New York in 1975. Edgar had to hold the pen upright so Johnny could sign my program. They were both very nice, though. And talent!--the brothers had that in spades! WOW. Saw Johnny later, 80's & 90's in the back end of his career, and he was still on fire! His fingers were slowed down a bit, but he could still rock the house with his voice! Miss you, Johnny Winter!
I was lucky to grow up in the Tampa Bay Area in the 60’s-70’s and saw Johnny and Edgar both several times. Great musicians both of them. Johnny was a great showman. His concerts had so much energy. Rest in Peace Johnny.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you so much for keeping the memory of my favourite guitarist alive. I noticed that you kept smiling in wonder at all the intricate parts just like I do - I even start laughing at the pure joy of it at times. I was fortunate enough to see him live a year or so before he died and although he was sitting in a chair, he still had it! Have you seen his performance of Jumping Jack Flash on the Old Grey Whistle Test - it's absolutely sensational!
I saw him at a small outdoor concert after he got out of rehab. It was a grassy area and I was sitting on my butt on the front row. At one point he came up in front of me and stood on my toes while he played a solo. The way he plays, just comes from endless hours of practice. He clearly played so much that it's all muscle memory.
Since the 1960's Johnny Winter was playing like no one else. He would combine blues, jazz and rock so effortlessly (Hustled Down In Texas, I Love Everybody, I Hate Everybody). Thanks for spotlighting a very under spoken about guitarist.
Thank you for this. Johnny Winter is so underrated. He was a phenomenal, brilliant blues man. No theatrics, playing behind his back. Just straight up talent.
I’m a classically trained musician...(piano and Harp)....but I LOVE listening to Johnny Winter’s guitar playing. His phrasing and musical ideas are so fluent. There’s a recording on TH-cam of him playing “Red House”. It’s like listening to a complex conversation. Amazing what he could do with a pentatonic scale. I also love your videos....great analysis !
I worked at Houston's Love Street Light Circus back in the early '70s, when Johnny's band was part of the regular rotation (one weekend a month). I still think he's one of the best guitarists I've ever had the pleasure of seeing and he had a great sense of humor. Just a really great guy and very much missed.
One of my favorite artists of all time. In early 70s I’d go days without listening ing to anything else. His thumb picking style made him almost impossible to play. So glad to see people like you appreciate this true legend.
I feel fortunate to have seen JW about 4or 5 times.. man I tell ya, when you leave the venue you know that you just witnessed something special. R.I.P. John Dawson Winter lll Good job man, thanks for posting a icon
_A truly "spellbinding performance"._ I know you've analysed a few Woodstock performances, so I would suggest checking out C.C.R.'s performance of "I put a spell on you". Most people don't even know they played Woodstock, as they were left off the record & movie. (a real shame)
Definitely a hugely influential player who you always heard the guitar players back in the day (60s through the 80s) always mentioning him as one of their influences. I didn't get it until I picked up one of his albums in the early 80s and then it all made sense.
What an action-packed performance this is, from all of them! Just love the blues sound here. You demonstrate so well how much crazy technique there is to appreciate.Thanks Fil for tackling this.
@@Johnnycdrums , actually , Jon Paris, IIRC. There's a Johnny Winter concert from Germany recorded many years ago ---- I saw it on the Amazon Prime channel ---- where you can watch Johnny and John Paris play together. At one point they switch instruments, Johnny is playing bass and Jon is playing guitar, plus he has a sort of space man's globe/ helmet on his head that holds a harmonica in front of his mouth. There's also a somewhat more recent concert performance (on Prime) from Japan where Johnny is in rough shape and not playing well at all.
First concert I ever saw when I was 16, James Cotton opening for Johnny Winter Long Beach Sports Arena circa 1972. Tickets were $3.50, $4.50 and $5.50 lol.
My first introduction to the blues was Eric Clapton "Have you Ever Loved a Woman," from the Layla album. I must have been 12 or 13. It was so easy for me to embrace those blues licks and turnarounds. After that I discovered Johnny Winter and he had me always striving to be a better blues player with his beautiful masterful technique. I like what you said, "He could pull out any of those guitar runs and phrases from his back pocket at any time..." So true, his playing is so down to earth and smoking hot!
Johnny is unsurpassed as a blues rock guitar player. As much as I enjoy SRV, Johnny could play circles around Stevie. JMHO... I can't hear Johnny without thinking of the Great Alvin Lee. Both speed demons, without shredding. Every note meant something with those two guys. Thanks Fil.. Good job.
Saw Johnny & Alvin Lee, not at the same concert. My ex bass player came over 1 day raving about SRV (I hadn't even heard of him), he was going on & on. I had recently bought Second Winter on CD, & said "How does your boy compare to this?" After a few minutes he said "My boy can't touch that dude." He was AMAZED when I told how old the album was. Granted SRV was a great guitarist, but I'd listened to Johnny, Alvin, Jimi, Tommy Bolin, & other great guitarist, long before I ever heard SRV. He wasn't so impressive to me.
@@tonycreek6912 Do your homework; JW paved the way for all the famous, white, Texas blues-rock guitarists, including Stevie and Jimmie Vaughan. He signed a then, unheard of recording contract, in '68, with Columbia Records. Right from that time, the man was an absolute virtuoso, with his OWN fully formed style, (rather than aping Albert King/Jimi licks and songs). He also had a scary, encyclopedic knowledge of deep, early country blues, including the original, electric blues masters.
Hi Fil, although I’m not a musician, I absolutely love your videos! I have learned so much from you...you are amazing and keep up the fantastic work! The Winter brothers are from my home state. 👍
Yeah, very well done Fil, very well done. As you've mentioned in other videos featuring the guitarists of the 60s and 70s they were all unique in their own ways/styles and I was fortunate to grow up, musically at least, during those years. Having attended many concerts over the years the memories fade over time but I saw Johnny at Filmore East when he also had Rick Derringer in his band and I can remember it like it was yesterday because it was so great. Up to that point I'd never seen two lead guitarists trade licks and compliment each other so well. This was before The Allman Bros. Thanks again Fil for keeping these great musicians relevant you are a true guardian of the classics!!!
Ah! The Swedish performance! Excellent! I didn't suss that out the first time around. (Yes, I'm doing reruns. My personal "best of " video series.) Oh, and while I'm here, you don't really have to put those self-deprecating lines into your video titles. Your playing sounds sweet! Sure, not everyone is a Winter, Buchanan (you knew I'd include him) or Beck (Jeff) but you are GOOD. Live with it! And leave the judgements to we, your audience. Ok with you? Works for me.
I saw Johnny Winter live, many years ago. It was such a great concert. I still have my ticket stub autographed. Thanks for sharing this analysis video. Cheers, Fil! ✌️
I have listened to Johnny Winter for 50+ years. He is my favorite and I never get tired of any thing he does. I particularly love the jumpin jack flash from the Johnny winter and album. Gives me chills every time I hear it. Thanks for the breakdown here. You rule!
oh man, my band opened for Johnny in '86(nowhere south jersey(US)). Helped unload his truck because no local crew showed!He killed! My band was soooo different(which worked) we were a proggy female vocal thing. The doorman/security dude (my budat the time) did a rocketship tat on his arm that night.Epic mem, you rock, man!
I saw Johnny Winter at the 1970 Bath Festival in England. It was the before the start of the gig, the stage was still dark and suddenly this amazing guitar playing started. Someone said 'thats the best guitar solo you have heard'.
I saw "Johnny Winter And" in concert at my university just after "Rock and Roll Hootchi Koo" came out. I was a guitar player and was blown away. Years later we did that song in my band. Fun to play and went over well. (It was the only Johnny Winter song in which I could do a passable lead). What impressed me the most was the bottleneck guitar playing of which he was the master. I saw him years later playing solo at a local theater during which he played acoustic blues. There were only about twenty people in this huge theater and most left half way through. Johnny was basically three sheets to the wind and just gave an OK performance except for his last song where his brilliance shown through. My bass player's brother, who did some photography for one of Johmmy's albums, attended a birthday at which Johnny, Rick Derringer and the rest played a set for Johnny's guests. Robby told us that Johnny basically played guitar all day long. One would have to to maintain that edge I reckon. Johnny was a frequent visitor to a local showcase club and could often be seen bopping with the crowd, or so my friends claim. He lived only a few miles from my area so it's probably true. -dave
I've seen JW quite a few times, always a smokin' show. Early on going to see him was 1 of better hard rock concerts to go to. He much preferred doing straight Blues, and did more as time went on, but he sure was great at RnR when he wanted to be. I'd heard a few people mention during a certain period it was a bit unpredictable what kinda shape he might show up in. There was a time it wasn't to remarkable for a lot of bands/musicians etc to do that. Is "The Scene" the club to which you're referring?
@@discernment8963 The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach. And I cant remember where I saw the other show. I know it was two different shows from how they headlined it. 1st one was Rick Derringer and special guest. (Like I couldnt guess) lol. Then it was Edgar Winter with special guest. I think maybe they were both at the Golden Bear. I used to work in a nightclub back in the early 80s. Actually I didnt get paid. I collected tickets and swept the floor after shows. In turn I got all the beer I wanted, all the money I found on the floor. But mostly got to see some great bands, if you like metal and punk. It was caloed the concert factory. Prior to that it was the Cuckoo's Nest. It was a very famous punk club then. Lost most of my hearing there. But worth it. Lol
@@discernment8963 I remember when Captured Live came out. I was 15 or 16 then. I had it on album and 8 track. The drum intro on Boney Maroney was what sold me. I was a huge derringer fan though. Thee best blues rock song ever was "Back in the USA" off of the white trash railroad album. That gibson hollowbody with the hubuckers and you could feel the tubes in the amps cookin away. Rick was in his prime then.
You’ve heard of gunslingers in the American West,well Johnny is a guitarslinger,lol.When he was shooting out notes,he was always hitting his mark.Amazing talent...RIP. Saw your brother with Ringo not long ago in Virginia,USA.
My time is limited tonight Fil. I know Johnny Winter is and excellent guitarist musician and your analysis are excellent as well. without watching your video You get two thumbs up by me! 👍👍
Love watching your videos! As a longtime self-taught guitarist I really appreciate your lessons and humble personality, you've shed light on and given name to a lot of guitar theory that I've always known by ear but never formally learned. I think I've found a new favorite bluesman in Johnny Winter as well, thank you!
Thank you Fil, You are so spot on and I enjoy your videos often. I had the good fortune to see Johnny live shortly before his death. He still had 'it." Also I dodged his security and got a one on one in his bus. And an autographed LP cover. RIP Great Bluesman. You were one of a kind!
A steady stream of inventive blues guitar licks, driven from the heart and all designed to make you feel good. That's the essence of good boogie and Johnny Winter is a boogie master.
JW snapped the strings against the frets using his fingers and had amazing vibrato. I saw him in concert in 1986 in Melbourne Australia. He was still fiery and reasonably healthy back then. He played about 6 songs in total !!. Each song lasted 15 minutes. So many guitar solos !!!
Always glad to see somebody who appreciates this Master. Not only a great blues voice -- complete with shouts and growls at just the right times -- but lightning quick with the blues riffs, all over the fingerboard. My personal favorite is his work on "Be Careful with a Fool", slow tune, but such amazing fast guitar runs from the intro and throughout. Rock on
I thank you for bringing Johnny Winter to the top. He was amazing. First song I played on bass was Prodigal Son in the 70's I'm 67 now! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Fil, the look of delight on your face during the video is priceless, watching a modern day blues/rock master like Johnny is fantastic and is a big miss in the music universe, check out his "Rock and Roll Hootchie Coo" absolutely fabulous playing and vocals. Keep up the good work kid and always look forward to the next one.
I shared a cross country flight with his brother Edgar a fees years back. I didn’t recognize him but we had a great, wide ranging conversation all the way. Early in the conversation he introduced himself as Edgar. Later he asked where I was headed. I told him I had a gig in Kansas City. He replied he had a gig in Topeka opening for ‘the girls’ (Heart). I then put 2 and 2 together and knew he he was. He asked if I was free the next night and had me as his personal guest at the concert. Very, very nice humble man and talented just like Johnny. I was saddened to hear of Johnny’s passing and wish Edgar all the happiness and joy he and his brother brought all of us.
Johnny was like Robert Johnsons white son, I play and was around 14 when I first heard his version and solo on the cover Jumping Jack Flash, it scared the hell out of me, he was a genius, pure Texas bluesman. I can see in your face Fil,you know.
Always appreciate your commentary. I have been a Johnny Winter fan since high school in the early 1970s and you help me to appreciate Johnny's amazing guitar even more.
I saw him twice in little bars years apart after growing up loving his style of blues God he was really something to see,the amps so loud it made my ribs ache from the pressure,awesome!! What a legendary showman he was.
Saw him blow the doors out of Bogarts Nightclub in Cincinnati, Ohio back in 1990, and was listening to his music long before then. He was an incredible talent. Johnny makes my top 5 greatest guitarists of all time seven days a week and twice on Sunday. Along with (in no particular order) Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duane Allman, Alvin Lee, & Jimi Hendrix.
Watch that live performance of "Achilles Last Stand" (Led Zeppelin) running around somewhere out there on TH-cam! You might have to call it your "Top 6" list once you insert Jimmy Page, me thinks.
Fil glad to see you feeling good and grooving! We all survived the Covid nightmare.Carry on with your wonderful analysis.Yes Johnny Winters I saw him in 1968 in small venue in London Ontario Canada.I was stunned and his Mississippi Blues which I had never heard before blew me away! Peace and Om
Great analysis of Johnny Winter's playing. I couldn't easily tell you that Winter was detuned, but you recognized this right away, plus all the technical aspects. Great video.
very nice, Johnny gets his due from a British dude! Kind of like Alvin Lee in that he's tough to copy. Love the line "to break it all down would take years"! Rock on dude!
Johnny was one of my guitar heroes back in the late sixties / early seventies. I can remember like it was yesterday how blown away I was the first time I heard his solo on "Be Careful With a Fool" off his debut album.
His debut on Columbia records. He had other records before, most notably "The Progressive Blues Experiment" recorded at the Vulcan Gas Company in Austin,Texas. Late 60's.
@@greghokamp8552 That's what I meant - his first album released nationally. I read somewhere that he was the highest paid artist at the time he released "Johnny Winter" on Columbia. I have a vinyl copy of "Progressive Blues Experiment" on (I believe) the Imperial label.
@@timothylawrence707 There is a review of his debut release on Columbia records in LIFE magazine around that time by their popular culture & music critic, (I want to say) Albert Goldman, Albert Miller [?]..... you can probably do an online search and find it, I'm sure. It's eye opening to say the least! I ran across it in a stack of LIFE magazines from the late 60's my Dad kept in the back of our living room coat closet circa mid-70's.
Really enjoyed your work on this thanks Fil. Saw Johnny with this exact band in the mid 80s, playing this 'streaming' style of high energy blues. This was at the best concert venue in town with the full house all seated, theatre style. So it was kind of a strange setting, and it was mid-winter with Johnny seriously under-dressed as in Fil's video. The band threw themselves into it all the harder. For my money Johnny's backing of Muddy Waters on 'Mannish Boy' (Muddy's ' Hard Again album from 1977, which Johnny produced) takes the biscuit. A very different, call and response style of rhythmic slow blues, but some of the heaviest live blues ever laid down. Johnny's sparse selection of lead notes is outstanding. His 'hollering' vocals even more so.
I saw Johnny in 70 and 71..his playing was friggin wild and fast but he made it look effortless. I was awestruck with his energy and watching him play so fast with such clean precision and with his eyes closed most of the time!.... I suspect that his really poor vision caused him to understand the fret board without having to look at the guitar neck or his hands.
Hi Fil... I have to say, I see the look on your face as Johnny is kicking ass doing his amazing runs and ease of play. I saw him numerous times in the early to late 70's at too many concerts to call. No matter who he was playing with, the band pulled so tight you had to jump out of your seat. I am now putting together his tune, Still Alive and Well... Give that badboy a shot. Thanks for posting.
I was just talking with a friend about Johnny Winter. We had seen him live in 1973 in a little club scene like this. He could really play, mixing pick, thumb pick, finger picking, slide - very hot. It's a shame he was only known for a few songs on the radio. This video really captures him LIVE.
Johnny was certainly was a skilled player, just lacked a stage persona. Saw him play live many times in the 70s and 80s. Lightening fast, innovative fluid licks. Not to open up a can of worms but, when people reflexly name Hendrix the “greatest“ or “best”not realizing that a major part of the “wow factor” was flamboyant stage presence, effects, and less on pure ability. Seen Danny Gatton, Jerry Reed, Terry Kath, Johnny Winter, Roy Clark, Gary Moore, SRV up close, many x, I’d say Hendrix has plenty of company.
Great job. You appreciation for Johnny's marvelous skill is refreshing. On a sour note I'll never ever go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame absent Johnny.
Thanks for this detailed analysis, I'm a fan of Johnny Winter since a long time, and I transcribe his solos, and every time I am amazed with his extraordinnary guitar playing, really what a guitarist it was!
Every time I watch Johnny perform I’m totally blown away! I remember one time when Johnny sat in with G.E. Smith and Saturday Night Live Band! Wow! Tremendous guitarist!
@ppmppm7010 my mistake Edgar is still alive he is about 77 yrs old, and as you know, like his brother, almost completely blind. I thought he had passed away from what I had been told.
@ppmppm7010 can you even read? Both were legally blind. Edgar Winter was born with albinism, a fact that didn't seem to slow down Edgar or his older brother, Johnny, also an albino. In fact, its effect on their vision may have lent them musical superpowers. “The boys were both musical from the time they were born,” their mother told Johnny’s biographer, Mary Lou Sullivan. “Part of it was because they were legally blind and their acute hearing made up in part for their lack of sight.” Learn to read before replying.
@@TheHOWLER45 Sure I can read and obviously so can you just that some of the stuff you've read isn't quite accurate just because you are legally blind doesn't mean you have a white cane and a guide dog .I saw them several times back in the early seventies how about you or do you live your life reading the internet
I saw a lot of bands in my younger days. I went to a small club, where he was playing, and I was never more impressed by a guitarist, than I was by Johnny. He was the best!👍😎🎸🎶
I’ve tried several times to play using Johnny’s technique. Never have been able to master thumbpick and can’t use a slide with pinky. The man was amazing in HOW he played.
I've seen Johnny 6 times...and nobody can duplicate how complex his playing truly is/was. In my opinion...Johnny was the ultimate "master guitarist of the blues."
Johnny is the blues period?
I opened for Johnny in Cours, France. It was the concert before his last show when he died. He was one of my hero's. Everyone after sound check went back to the hotel but Johnny stayed...so I stayed. There was a door between our dressing room. I could hear him quiet. So I slid my chair up to the door and sang to him with my hand drum for at least 30 to 40 minutes. He never said a word... he probably fell asleep. Lol. He was so old skinny and frail...they had to carry him about. As I was walking onto stage I walked by the bathrooms I looked and there He was sitting on the throne with the door wide open looking out. What a way to see him. But I have heard so many stories... he did one more concert and then he died. I loved his playing since I heard him when I was 12. I am 63 now. ❤
Just like Billy Gibbons said: "When Johnny picks up a guitar, you never know quite whats gonna come at ya. But whatever it is, its gonna be good"
Amen to that.
Indeed 🎶
Amen...
my brother inlaw was a studio musician who played on Edgar winter albums. he took me to the studio one day and Johnny was there playing slide guitar. i was star struck and amazed by his playing. thanks for keeping the music alive. you rock Fil
I used to be a SRV freak.... Still am a fan..BUT When I started to REALLY PAY ATTENTION.... And my guitar playing got better.... THATS When I noticed what a badass Johnny Winter was!!! And a lot of what I heard on SRV. Songs came straight from Mr Winter!
And then some
Interesting thing, find SRV's roots in Jimi Hendrix. Johnny Winter is one of a kind. He shares with SRV being a Texas blues guitarist. Both SRV and Johnny were one of a kind - children of the Texas blues tradition. Just my opinion.
Man I love them both and I always say it's a tie between SRV and Johnny as being the greatest ever. I still feel that way and always will
@@curtvaughan2836 Texas has produced some amazing guitar players but Johnny and Stevie were (as you said) one of a kind. So thankful for the time and music they shared with us
Both of them were West Texan blues guitarists!
SRV came close but nobody was a faster, or better, blues rock player than Johnny Winter
Yeah, he was fast and clean.
I doubt he ever played a bad note!
@@charliesaucier3352 I know. Quick, clean and inspired.
He NEVER needed the effects he just played it- I would love to see todays best play his music and sing it at the same time- I have never seen a duplicate come close- just ABSOLUTELY the best ever
@@williamecolemansr1930 THE Master of the Blues guitar!! And his vocals, just wow! Second to none!
I saw Johnny twice in the 70's after I had been playing for quite a few years myself. I remember how mesmerized I was staring at his hands on the guitar. I was blown away! Thanks for dissecting Johnny in such detail Fil, never saw anyone do that before. Only a fellow guitarist can really appreciate someone like Johnny and it's great to see someone your age that really "gets" a talent like his. I wish he was still around.
Wings of Pegasus ROCKS!!! Ya Phil is such an expert at explaining every single detail and he has so much in depth knowledge (which I thought I had but noooo).
You will never see or hear a musician like this again . Never runs out of licks, and loves playing low notes in his solos.
Duane Allman was a better
I've seen Johnny 6 times...he never showed any signs of "being lost" on what to play next. He never ran out...of any licks...good licks. It was effortless. Nobody was better.
@@allencollins9951 This is a Johnny Winter reaction. I love Allmans guitar playing also.
@stevemoore1727 yeah they were both lightning in a bottle
I saw Johnny play several years ago. He was very frail and had to be helped to a chair onstage. He was still fire!
Ur right man, me to, that was about a year or so before he passed on
Know what you mean. Saw him with Leslie West in Greenwich Village in the ‘90’s. Had to be helped out of a car and to the venue by two guys.
Johnny was incredible. I saw him many years ago and he wouldn't stop the show. The police actually had to come in and shut him down. The officers were trying to get me to leave but I told them that I'd paid for my ticket and was going to stay until Mr Winter finished his show. So me and a few buddies held on until they (the cops) shut him down. You could tell that he was NOT pleased; the man wanted to PLAY! RIP Johnny...thanks for the music.
Michele Ward. Johnny was a real artist, great person, fantastic guitar player, so amazing. His live playing was mesmerizing, sooooo goooood.
I saw Johnny winter three times a d I actually got to shake his hand and get his autograph. I have seen Stevie ray Vaughn, buddy guy, John Fogarty, Santana they all were great but Johnny stood out as the best of the them.
Saw Johnny in about 1980 and was blown away by his smooth and seemingly effortless playing.
My english is very bad but I do my best....and I have to say , I like and learn much with your video !!!! Mister Winter Is a so great musician I listen and love for man and many years ( I'am 65 years old...) Thanks so much .
My Brother Steve got the Nod from Johnny in a Toledo Ohio interview when asked directly To Johnny Winter "is there any guitar players that play like you and Johnny answered Steve Foster plays a lot like me! What a beautiful compliment and may they both now be playing together in Heaven. Steve Foster 2-10-54 - 2-14-2023 RIP both of them!
I met Johnny and Edgar in New York in 1975. Edgar had to hold the pen upright so Johnny could sign my program. They were both very nice, though. And talent!--the brothers had that in spades! WOW. Saw Johnny later, 80's & 90's in the back end of his career, and he was still on fire! His fingers were slowed down a bit, but he could still rock the house with his voice! Miss you, Johnny Winter!
I was lucky to grow up in the Tampa Bay Area in the 60’s-70’s and saw Johnny and Edgar both several times. Great musicians both of them. Johnny was a great showman. His concerts had so much energy. Rest in Peace Johnny.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you so much for keeping the memory of my favourite guitarist alive. I noticed that you kept smiling in wonder at all the intricate parts just like I do - I even start laughing at the pure joy of it at times. I was fortunate enough to see him live a year or so before he died and although he was sitting in a chair, he still had it! Have you seen his performance of Jumping Jack Flash on the Old Grey Whistle Test - it's absolutely sensational!
Whenever I'm feeling a bit down that's my go to Video the joy and energy is unmatched in that performance !
I saw him at a small outdoor concert after he got out of rehab.
It was a grassy area and I was sitting on my butt on the front row. At one point he came up in front of me and stood on my toes while he played a solo.
The way he plays, just comes from endless hours of practice. He clearly played so much that it's all muscle memory.
Since the 1960's Johnny Winter was playing like no one else. He would combine blues, jazz and rock so effortlessly (Hustled Down In Texas, I Love Everybody, I Hate Everybody). Thanks for spotlighting a very under spoken about guitarist.
Yipes! 2nd look thru it, this time paying more attention. Best I've seen/heard of Johnny, since Johnny Winter and Live.
Thank you for this. Johnny Winter is so underrated. He was a phenomenal, brilliant blues man. No theatrics, playing behind his back. Just straight up talent.
Johnny was just the epitome of "in the moment" playing! He was so fluent, and such an inspiration to me.
I’m a classically trained musician...(piano and Harp)....but I LOVE listening to Johnny Winter’s guitar playing. His phrasing and musical ideas are so fluent. There’s a recording on TH-cam of him playing “Red House”. It’s like listening to a complex conversation. Amazing what he could do with a pentatonic scale. I also love your videos....great analysis !
I love how much you enjoy your job.
I worked at Houston's Love Street Light Circus back in the early '70s, when Johnny's band was part of the regular rotation (one weekend a month). I still think he's one of the best guitarists I've ever had the pleasure of seeing and he had a great sense of humor. Just a really great guy and very much missed.
One of my favorite artists of all time. In early 70s I’d go days without listening ing to anything else. His thumb picking style made him almost impossible to play.
So glad to see people like you appreciate this true legend.
Very much underated
Looks underfed as well...
I feel fortunate to have seen JW about 4or 5 times.. man I tell ya, when you leave the venue you know that you just witnessed something special. R.I.P. John Dawson Winter lll Good job man, thanks for posting a icon
One of my early guitar heroes, reviewed by my favorite reviewer. Thanks, Fil!
TIME STAMPS -
1:03 Performance Start
4:59 Analysis Start
6:00 Singing/Playing Lead Riffs
8:20 Daisy Chaining Licks
10:18 Hearing the Turnaround
11:51 Repeating Phrases
16:12 Double Stops
17:00 Vibrato!
19:07 Runs
20:34 Performance Resumption
24:29 Analysis Resumption
25:57 More Repeating and String Skipping!
_A truly "spellbinding performance"._
I know you've analysed a few Woodstock performances, so I would suggest checking out C.C.R.'s performance of
"I put a spell on you".
Most people don't even know they played Woodstock, as they were left off the record & movie. (a real shame)
Freaking brilliant! Love it! Thanks! ...Love the strict analysis! Woo hoo!
Fil, top notch breakdown of one of my guitar heroes, growing up!
His picking attack, articulation, timing and phrasing is just so great.
The bass player Jon Paris needs a spotlight video also!
Yeah, I remember seeing Jon in Ox back in the days.
Speed, finesse and tone. Wow.
Great rhythm section as well.
Absolutely. They’re nailing it.
Definitely a hugely influential player who you always heard the guitar players back in the day (60s through the 80s) always mentioning him as one of their influences. I didn't get it until I picked up one of his albums in the early 80s and then it all made sense.
Thank you for this!!! He was the best!!!!
What an action-packed performance this is, from all of them! Just love the blues sound here. You demonstrate so well how much crazy technique there is to appreciate.Thanks Fil for tackling this.
Great playing...that Bass player is savage too
John Paris.
That's what I thought. Reminded me of Gerry McAlvoy(?) with Rory Galagher.
@@Johnnycdrums , actually , Jon Paris, IIRC. There's a Johnny Winter concert from Germany recorded many years ago ---- I saw it on the Amazon Prime channel ---- where you can watch Johnny and John Paris play together. At one point they switch instruments, Johnny is playing bass and Jon is playing guitar, plus he has a sort of space man's globe/ helmet on his head that holds a harmonica in front of his mouth. There's also a somewhat more recent concert performance (on Prime) from Japan where Johnny is in rough shape and not playing well at all.
First concert I ever saw when I was 16, James Cotton opening for Johnny Winter Long Beach Sports Arena circa 1972. Tickets were $3.50, $4.50 and $5.50 lol.
My first introduction to the blues was Eric Clapton "Have you Ever Loved a Woman," from the Layla album. I must have been 12 or 13. It was so easy for me to embrace those blues licks and turnarounds. After that I discovered Johnny Winter and he had me always striving to be a better blues player with his beautiful masterful technique. I like what you said, "He could pull out any of those guitar runs and phrases from his back pocket at any time..." So true, his playing is so down to earth and smoking hot!
Everything about this video is fantastic
Johnny is unsurpassed as a blues rock guitar player. As much as I enjoy SRV, Johnny could play circles around Stevie. JMHO... I can't hear Johnny without thinking of the Great Alvin Lee. Both speed demons, without shredding. Every note meant something with those two guys. Thanks Fil.. Good job.
Saw Johnny & Alvin Lee, not at the same concert. My ex bass player came over 1 day raving about SRV (I hadn't even heard of him), he was going on & on. I had recently bought Second Winter on CD, & said "How does your boy compare to this?" After a few minutes he said "My boy can't touch that dude." He was AMAZED when I told how old the album was. Granted SRV was a great guitarist, but I'd listened to Johnny, Alvin, Jimi, Tommy Bolin, & other great guitarist, long before I ever heard SRV. He wasn't so impressive to me.
Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Alvin Lee, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore and Robin Trower are my favourite blues-rock players.
Play circles around Stevie Ray? Johnny is my all time favorite, but that's bullshite.
@@tonycreek6912 ya i agree stevie was a guitar master as bb king once said.
@@tonycreek6912
Do your homework; JW paved the way for all the famous, white, Texas blues-rock guitarists, including Stevie and Jimmie Vaughan. He signed a then, unheard of recording contract, in '68, with Columbia Records. Right from that time, the man was an absolute virtuoso, with his OWN fully formed style, (rather than aping Albert King/Jimi licks and songs). He also had a scary, encyclopedic knowledge of deep, early country blues, including the original, electric blues masters.
Saw the Guitar Slinger in every decade since 1969 till he passed away.One of my all time faves
Hi Fil, although I’m not a musician, I absolutely love your videos! I have learned so much from you...you are amazing and keep up the fantastic work! The Winter brothers are from my home state. 👍
Johnny’s playing is so clean… nothing blurry… just like Albert Lee
Yeah, very well done Fil, very well done. As you've mentioned in other videos featuring the guitarists of the 60s and 70s they were all unique in their own ways/styles and I was fortunate to grow up, musically at least, during those years. Having attended many concerts over the years the memories fade over time but I saw Johnny at Filmore East when he also had Rick Derringer in his band and I can remember it like it was yesterday because it was so great. Up to that point I'd never seen two lead guitarists trade licks and compliment each other so well. This was before The Allman Bros. Thanks again Fil for keeping these great musicians relevant you are a true guardian of the classics!!!
Ah! The Swedish performance! Excellent! I didn't suss that out the first time around. (Yes, I'm doing reruns. My personal "best of " video series.) Oh, and while I'm here, you don't really have to put those self-deprecating lines into your video titles. Your playing sounds sweet! Sure, not everyone is a Winter, Buchanan (you knew I'd include him) or Beck (Jeff) but you are GOOD. Live with it! And leave the judgements to we, your audience. Ok with you? Works for me.
I saw Johnny Winter live, many years ago. It was such a great concert. I still have my ticket stub autographed. Thanks for sharing this analysis video. Cheers, Fil! ✌️
Johnny Winter, one of my absolute favorites. I bought his first album when it came out; such an amazing musician. Good job, Fil!
I have listened to Johnny Winter for 50+ years. He is my favorite and I never get tired of any thing he does. I particularly love the jumpin jack flash from the Johnny winter and album. Gives me chills every time I hear it. Thanks for the breakdown here. You rule!
Hell ya man, he kicks that shit out of that tune
oh man, my band opened for Johnny in '86(nowhere south jersey(US)). Helped unload his truck because no local crew showed!He killed! My band was soooo different(which worked) we were a proggy female vocal thing. The doorman/security dude (my budat the time) did a rocketship tat on his arm that night.Epic mem, you rock, man!
I recall seeing that tattoo when I did security for JW at the Blue Cat Blues club in Deep Ellum back in 2001.
I saw Johnny Winter at the 1970 Bath Festival in England. It was the before the start of the gig, the stage was still dark and suddenly this amazing guitar playing started. Someone said 'thats the best guitar solo you have heard'.
The best fast blues player even to this day
I saw "Johnny Winter And" in concert at my university just after "Rock and Roll Hootchi Koo" came out. I was a guitar player and was blown away. Years later we did that song in my band. Fun to play and went over well. (It was the only Johnny Winter song in which I could do a passable lead).
What impressed me the most was the bottleneck guitar playing of which he was the master. I saw him years later playing solo at a local theater during which he played acoustic blues. There were only about twenty people in this huge theater and most left half way through. Johnny was basically three sheets to the wind and just gave an OK performance except for his last song where his brilliance shown through.
My bass player's brother, who did some photography for one of Johmmy's albums, attended a birthday at which Johnny, Rick Derringer and the rest played a set for Johnny's guests. Robby told us that Johnny basically played guitar all day long. One would have to to maintain that edge I reckon.
Johnny was a frequent visitor to a local showcase club and could often be seen bopping with the crowd, or so my friends claim. He lived only a few miles from my area so it's probably true.
-dave
I saw rick and edgar a few times. Always a good show.
I've seen JW quite a few times, always a smokin' show. Early on going to see him was 1 of better hard rock concerts to go to. He much preferred doing straight Blues, and did more as time went on, but he sure was great at RnR when he wanted to be. I'd heard a few people mention during a certain period it was a bit unpredictable what kinda shape he might show up in. There was a time it wasn't to remarkable for a lot of bands/musicians etc to do that. Is "The Scene" the club to which you're referring?
@@discernment8963
The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach. And I cant remember where I saw the other show. I know it was two different shows from how they headlined it. 1st one was Rick Derringer and special guest. (Like I couldnt guess) lol. Then it was Edgar Winter with special guest. I think maybe they were both at the Golden Bear.
I used to work in a nightclub back in the early 80s. Actually I didnt get paid. I collected tickets and swept the floor after shows. In turn I got all the beer I wanted, all the money I found on the floor. But mostly got to see some great bands, if you like metal and punk. It was caloed the concert factory. Prior to that it was the Cuckoo's Nest. It was a very famous punk club then. Lost most of my hearing there. But worth it. Lol
@@discernment8963
I remember when Captured Live came out. I was 15 or 16 then. I had it on album and 8 track. The drum intro on Boney Maroney was what sold me. I was a huge derringer fan though. Thee best blues rock song ever was "Back in the USA" off of the white trash railroad album. That gibson hollowbody with the hubuckers and you could feel the tubes in the amps cookin away. Rick was in his prime then.
@@discernment8963
th-cam.com/video/TyBIfgj2jrY/w-d-xo.html
My favorite anyways.
You’ve heard of gunslingers in the American West,well Johnny is a guitarslinger,lol.When he was shooting out notes,he was always hitting his mark.Amazing talent...RIP. Saw your brother with Ringo not long ago in Virginia,USA.
Johnny Winter had such a great sound and played with so much energy .
My time is limited tonight Fil. I know Johnny Winter is and excellent guitarist musician and your analysis are excellent as well. without watching your video You get two thumbs up by me! 👍👍
Thanks Drew!
Love watching your videos! As a longtime self-taught guitarist I really appreciate your lessons and humble personality, you've shed light on and given name to a lot of guitar theory that I've always known by ear but never formally learned. I think I've found a new favorite bluesman in Johnny Winter as well, thank you!
Awesome video, Fil. Johnny was the best!👍😎🎸🎶
Saw Johnny in 60s at a warehouse near my apt in Boston. Left due to earsplitting volume! Saw him again in 80s. A true master.
Thank you Fil, You are so spot on and I enjoy your videos often. I had the good fortune to see Johnny live shortly before his death. He still had 'it." Also I dodged his security and got a one on one in his bus. And an autographed LP cover. RIP Great Bluesman. You were one of a kind!
A steady stream of inventive blues guitar licks, driven from the heart and all designed to make you feel good. That's the essence of good boogie and Johnny Winter is a boogie master.
Hello Pegasus .!! Thanks for this good moment with Johnny winter .!!!and you have Always si british attitude ..!!
JW snapped the strings against the frets using his fingers and had amazing vibrato. I saw him in concert in 1986 in Melbourne Australia. He was still fiery and reasonably healthy back then. He played about 6 songs in total !!. Each song lasted 15 minutes. So many guitar solos !!!
Always glad to see somebody who appreciates this Master. Not only a great blues voice -- complete with shouts and growls at just the right times -- but lightning quick with the blues riffs, all over the fingerboard. My personal favorite is his work on "Be Careful with a Fool", slow tune, but such amazing fast guitar runs from the intro and throughout. Rock on
I thank you for bringing Johnny Winter to the top. He was amazing. First song I played on bass was Prodigal Son in the 70's I'm 67 now! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Fil, the look of delight on your face during the video is priceless, watching a modern day blues/rock master like Johnny is fantastic and is a big miss in the music universe, check out his "Rock and Roll Hootchie Coo" absolutely fabulous playing and vocals. Keep up the good work kid and always look forward to the next one.
Played my second winter album so many times. Love it
Memory pain is my favorite
I shared a cross country flight with his brother Edgar a fees years back. I didn’t recognize him but we had a great, wide ranging conversation all the way. Early in the conversation he introduced himself as Edgar. Later he asked where I was headed. I told him I had a gig in Kansas City. He replied he had a gig in Topeka opening for ‘the girls’ (Heart). I then put 2 and 2 together and knew he he was. He asked if I was free the next night and had me as his personal guest at the concert. Very, very nice humble man and talented just like Johnny. I was saddened to hear of Johnny’s passing and wish Edgar all the happiness and joy he and his brother brought all of us.
Well done - I really enjoyed! Thanks for sharing and the cool, insightful analysis!
Johnny was like Robert Johnsons white son, I play and was around 14 when I first heard his version and solo on the cover Jumping Jack Flash, it scared the hell out of me, he was a genius, pure Texas bluesman. I can see in your face Fil,you know.
Always appreciate your commentary. I have been a Johnny Winter fan since high school in the early 1970s and you help me to appreciate Johnny's amazing guitar even more.
Master Bluesman and an amazing singer too.
Wow Fil, Johnny along with Rory Gallagher are two of my all time favourite axe-men. You nailed the essence of JW"s playing. Thank you
I saw him twice in little bars years apart after growing up loving his style of blues God he was really something to see,the amps so loud it made my ribs ache from the pressure,awesome!! What a legendary showman he was.
Saw him blow the doors out of Bogarts Nightclub in Cincinnati, Ohio back in 1990, and was listening to his music long before then. He was an incredible talent. Johnny makes my top 5 greatest guitarists of all time seven days a week and twice on Sunday. Along with (in no particular order) Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duane Allman, Alvin Lee, & Jimi Hendrix.
Watch that live performance of "Achilles Last Stand" (Led Zeppelin) running around somewhere out there on TH-cam! You might have to call it your "Top 6" list once you insert Jimmy Page, me thinks.
Fil glad to see you feeling good and grooving! We all survived the Covid nightmare.Carry on with your wonderful analysis.Yes Johnny Winters I saw him in 1968 in small venue in London Ontario Canada.I was stunned and his Mississippi Blues which I had never heard before blew me away! Peace and Om
Outstanding analysis!
Thanks!
Great video, Fil. An unique guitarist, unfortunately underrated, his explosive and unbelievable playing should be a lot more respected.
Great analysis of Johnny Winter's playing. I couldn't easily tell you that Winter was detuned, but you recognized this right away, plus all the technical aspects. Great video.
The greatest guitarist that has ever lived.
Only a great guitarist like yourself can really appreciate and understand how great Johnny Winter was. Thanks for analyzing this!
very nice, Johnny gets his due from a British dude! Kind of like Alvin Lee in that he's tough to copy. Love the line "to break it all down would take years"! Rock on dude!
Johnny was one of my guitar heroes back in the late sixties / early seventies. I can remember like it was yesterday how blown away I was the first time I heard his solo on "Be Careful With a Fool" off his debut album.
His debut on Columbia records. He had other records before, most notably "The Progressive Blues Experiment" recorded at the Vulcan Gas Company in Austin,Texas. Late 60's.
@@greghokamp8552 That's what I meant - his first album released nationally. I read somewhere that he was the highest paid artist at the time he released "Johnny Winter" on Columbia. I have a vinyl copy of "Progressive Blues Experiment" on (I believe) the Imperial label.
But he ultimately didn't care about rock n roll fame and eschewed it for playing the blues instead. A true pioneer of electric blues.
@@timothylawrence707 There is a review of his debut release on Columbia records in LIFE magazine around that time by their popular culture & music critic, (I want to say) Albert Goldman, Albert Miller [?]..... you can probably do an online search and find it, I'm sure. It's eye opening to say the least! I ran across it in a stack of LIFE magazines from the late 60's my Dad kept in the back of our living room coat closet circa mid-70's.
Be Careful With a Fool was my jam in high school. Still moves me after 50 years.
Really enjoyed your work on this thanks Fil. Saw Johnny with this exact band in the mid 80s, playing this 'streaming' style of high energy blues. This was at the best concert venue in town with the full house all seated, theatre style. So it was kind of a strange setting, and it was mid-winter with Johnny seriously under-dressed as in Fil's video. The band threw themselves into it all the harder. For my money Johnny's backing of Muddy Waters on 'Mannish Boy' (Muddy's ' Hard Again album from 1977, which Johnny produced) takes the biscuit. A very different, call and response style of rhythmic slow blues, but some of the heaviest live blues ever laid down. Johnny's sparse selection of lead notes is outstanding. His 'hollering' vocals even more so.
I saw Johnny in 70 and 71..his playing was friggin wild and fast but he made it look effortless. I was awestruck with his energy and watching him play so fast with such clean precision and with his eyes closed most of the time!.... I suspect that his really poor vision caused him to understand the fret board without having to look at the guitar neck or his hands.
Hi Fil... I have to say, I see the look on your face as Johnny is kicking ass doing his amazing runs and ease of play. I saw him numerous times in the early to late 70's at too many concerts to call. No matter who he was playing with, the band pulled so tight you had to jump out of your seat. I am now putting together his tune, Still Alive and Well... Give that badboy a shot. Thanks for posting.
I was just talking with a friend about Johnny Winter. We had seen him live in 1973 in a little club scene like this. He could really play, mixing pick, thumb pick, finger picking, slide - very hot. It's a shame he was only known for a few songs on the radio. This video really captures him LIVE.
Johnny was certainly was a skilled player, just lacked a stage persona. Saw him play live many times in the 70s and 80s. Lightening fast, innovative fluid licks. Not to open up a can of worms but, when people reflexly name Hendrix the “greatest“ or “best”not realizing that a major part of the “wow factor” was flamboyant stage presence, effects, and less on pure ability. Seen Danny Gatton, Jerry Reed, Terry Kath, Johnny Winter, Roy Clark, Gary Moore, SRV up close, many x, I’d say Hendrix has plenty of company.
With the Internet his fame will spread from now until forever.
GREAT Analysis!! ROCK
Great job. You appreciation for Johnny's marvelous skill is refreshing.
On a sour note I'll never ever go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame absent Johnny.
Thanks for this detailed analysis, I'm a fan of Johnny Winter since a long time, and I transcribe his solos, and every time I am amazed with his extraordinnary guitar playing, really what a guitarist it was!
Every time I watch Johnny perform I’m totally blown away! I remember one time when Johnny sat in with G.E. Smith and Saturday Night Live Band! Wow! Tremendous guitarist!
Johnny and Edgar both were monsters in their style of music which combined blues, jazz , rock . Sad the men are gone now. Their music will live on.
What when did Edgar pass ?
@ppmppm7010 my mistake Edgar is still alive he is about 77 yrs old, and as you know, like his brother, almost completely blind. I thought he had passed away from what I had been told.
@@TheHOWLER45 wrong again he's alive and kicking ass in Ringo Stars band. Don't know where you get your info from but you need to change
@ppmppm7010 can you even read? Both were legally blind. Edgar Winter was born with albinism, a fact that didn't seem to slow down Edgar or his older brother, Johnny, also an albino. In fact, its effect on their vision may have lent them musical superpowers. “The boys were both musical from the time they were born,” their mother told Johnny’s biographer, Mary Lou Sullivan. “Part of it was because they were legally blind and their acute hearing made up in part for their lack of sight.” Learn to read before replying.
@@TheHOWLER45 Sure I can read and obviously so can you just that some of the stuff you've read isn't quite accurate just because you are legally blind doesn't mean you have a white cane and a guide dog .I saw them several times back in the early seventies how about you or do you live your life reading the internet
Johnny Winter is amazing! Thanks for the post Fil
Johnny was and always will be the ultimate badass on the guitar
Love Johnny Winter, I saw him 3 times. Check out his version of Rollin' and Tumblin'.
Really creative guy. Never got the attention he deserved. His technique off the chart
I saw a lot of bands in my younger days. I went to a small club, where he was playing, and I was never more impressed by a guitarist, than I was by Johnny. He was the best!👍😎🎸🎶
I’ve tried several times to play using Johnny’s technique. Never have been able to master thumbpick and can’t use a slide with pinky. The man was amazing in HOW he played.
Saw him in 2010. I swear he never played the same lick all night. Amazing.
Love Johnny!