Johnny Winter: The Blues' Last Outlaw

I am and forever will always be on the road.

-Johnny Winter

Photo by: Rod Snyder

It was a lot of fun. I don't remember who the other musicians were other than Mike and Al [Kooper]. Like I said, my early introduction to the blues was through listening to Muddy Waters, and this was primarily one of the main reasons why I eventually made the trek to Chicago. I only stayed there for about a year, and that's where I first met Mike Bloomfield at a club called The Fickle Pickle. I wasn't too happy there in Chicago, so I soon went back to Texas. But yes, through meeting Mike it later led to him also helping to officially launch my career.

After that you signed what was then the largest advance in the history of the recording industry at Columbia Records, $600,000, did this unlock an overwhelming amount of musical opportunities for you?

Johnny Winter

Oh yes, for sure it was nonstop from there. Sadly, this also led to many of the problems I dealt with with drugs. I'm happy to say I'm all over with that now. The credit is all thanks to my other guitarist Paul Nelson. He is an amazing player and is the one who helped me guide my career back on track. It's all good now and I feel great!

You are notorious for your cover of Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited." Why this specific song and have you ever had the opportunity to play it with its creator?

I just simply liked the song and wanted to do a cover of it. I never actually played it with Dylan, but I did perform my rendition of "Highway 61 Revisited" at the Madison Square Garden party for him. Of course, he was there. There is a video of me playing it floating all around the Internet on YouTube and other such video sites.

Tell me a little bit about Muddy Waters, specifically, what he meant to you and how it felt to finally record with him? I mean, you got him a Grammy award. It must have been one hell of a solid relationship. [Editor's note: Johnny Winter produced a trio of brilliant Muddy albums - Hard Again (1977), I'm Ready (1978), and King Bee (1981), as well playing on Grammy winning live album Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979)].

It was three to be exact. I produced and performed on four of his albums. Working with Muddy was the absolute high point of my career. Throughout that and after we became great friends. He was an excellent person and above that, an honest and real gentleman. He would always drink champagne; Dom Pérignon was all he drank. He had a ton of class and a lot of true, real dignity. He'd been through a lot of ups and downs. I miss Muddy. If he were alive, we'd still be recording together.

You're currently on tour. I heard through various media outlets that you are strictly playing the blues and no more R&R. Is this correct?

Warren Haynes & Johnny Winter by Dino Perrucci

Yes. I am and forever will always be on the road. Actually, my show is now more like 80-percent blues and the rest is rock & roll. I've been changing my set more and more so it's different every time. But, as I said before, my true love is the blues.

Where do you enjoy playing most on tour?

Amsterdam is one of my favorites [winks].

In 1988 you were inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame among the all time legends in that genre. Is it comforting to know that your music was and will forever be respected as some of the all time best in blues?

Of course! It's an extremely great and exciting honor. I'm at the point in my career where I love receiving awards [laughs].

Rolling Stone ranked you 74th on the list of all time greatest guitarist, which is a remarkable feat. Do you think this ranking is accurate?

To be absolutely honest, I haven't talked to ONE person that has had anything good to say about that poll.

You grew up in Texas during a time of excessive racial tension. Was it difficult to go to the predominately black blues clubs at that time? Were establishments judging and/or rejecting your admittance?

Johnny Winter by Mick Rock

No, not at all. It was in an all black club in 1962 that my brother Edgar and I went to see B.B. King at a Beaumont club called The Raven. We were the only white guys in the crowd, and there was no doubt that we clearly stood out. I was about 17 and B.B. didn't want to let me onstage at first. I kept asking and asking and asking. He asked me for a union card, and I had one. Also, I kept sending people over to ask him to let me play. Finally, he decided that there were enough people who wanted to hear me that no matter if I was good or not it would be worth it for him to let me onstage. He gave me his guitar and let me play. I got a standing ovation! After that, he took his guitar back [laughs].

Another Texas legend was the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan. How did you feel about his hard rock blues infiltrating the Austin city scene, as well as other Texas great such as Billy Gibbons [ZZ Top]?

Stevie was a great player as is Billy. They both have added so much in keeping the blues alive. Great guitarists, the two of 'em.

Who was the most pleasurable artist that you've ever collaborated with live besides Muddy Waters?

Hmmm, I'd have to say John Lee Hooker and Sonny Terry. Sonny Terry and I did an album called Whoopin' on my label, Mad Albino Records. It was a great moment that I will never forget.

What are your sentiments on modern music today?

I am not a fan of it that much at all. I enjoy listening to artists and music of the past, which helps me keep my current playing fresh. I have over 14,000 songs on my iPod. I do like some [contemporary artists], of course. Well, Derek Trucks for instance. He's an absolutely great and skilled guitar player.

What should we expect from Johnny Winter in the near and far future?

More music, more shows, and more blues guitar.

Do you really plan to stay on the road forever?

Son, I'll be playing the blues on the open road 'til the day I die.