Johnny Winter, along with his brother Edgar Winter, were nurtured at an early age by their parents in musical pursuits. Both he and his brother, who were born with albinism, began performing at an early age. When he was ten-years old, Winter appeared on a local children's show, playing ukelele and singing Everly Brothers songs with his brother.
His recording career began at the age of fifteen, when his band Johnny and the Jammers released "School Day Blues" on a Houston record label. During this same period, he was able to see performances by classic blues artists such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Bobby Bland. In the early days Winter would sometimes sit in with Roy Head and The Traits when they performed in the Beaumont, Texas area, and in 1967, Winter recorded a single with The Traits: "Tramp" backed with "Parchman Farm" (Universal Records 30496). In 1968, he released his first album The Progressive Blues Experiment, on Austin's Sonobeat Records.
Winter caught his biggest break in December 1968, when Mike Bloomfield, whom he met and jammed with in Chicago, invited him to sing and play a song during a Bloomfield and Al Kooper concert at the Fillmore East in New York. As it happened, representatives of Columbia Records (which had released the Top Ten Bloomfield/Kooper Super Session album) were at the concert. Winter played and sang B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault" to loud applause and, within a few days, was signed to reportedly what was then the largest advance in the history of the recording industry–$600,000.
Winter's first Columbia album, Johnny Winter was recorded and released in 1969. It featured the same backing musicians with whom he recorded The Progressive Blues Experiment, bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner, plus Edgar Winter on keyboards and saxophone, and (for his "Mean Mistreater") blues legends Willie Dixon on upright bass and Big Walter Horton on harmonica. The album featured a few selections that became Winter signature songs, including his composition "Dallas" (an acoustic blues, on which Winter played a steel-bodied, resonator guitar), John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson's "Good Morning Little School Girl", and B.B. King's "Be Careful With A Fool".
The album's success coincided with Imperial Records picking up The Progressive Blues Experiment for wider release. The same year, the Winter trio toured and performed at several rock festivals, including Woodstock. With brother Edgar added as a full member of the group, Winter also recorded his second album, Second Winter in Nashville in 1969. The two-record album, which only had three recorded sides (the fourth was blank), introduced a couple more staples of Winter's concerts, including Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" and Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited".
In 1984, Winter began recording for several labels, including Alligator Records and Point Blank Records, where he has focused on blues-oriented material. He continues to perform live, including festivals throughout North America and Europe. Winter has headlined such prestigious events as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Swedish Rock Fest, Warren Haynes X-mas jam, and Europe’s Rockpalast. He also performed with the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan on the 40th anniversary of their debut. In 2007 and 2010, Winter performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals. Two guitar instructional DVDs have been produced by Cherry Lane Music and the Hal Leonard Corporation. The Gibson Guitar Company released the signature Johnny Winter Firebird guitar in a ceremony in Nashville with Slash presenting.
In 2004, Winter received a Grammy nomination for his I’m a Bluesman album. Backing him are guitarist Paul Nelson, bassist Scott Spray, and drummer Vito Liuzzi. Beginning in 2007, a series of live Winter albums titled the Live Bootleg Series and a live DVD have all entered the Top 10 Billboard Blues charts. In 2009, The Woodstock Experience album was released, which includes eight songs that Winter performed at the 1969 festival. Johnny Winter is signed to Megaforce Records, who will release a new studio album titled Roots on September 27, 2011. It will include Winter's interpretation of eleven early blues and rock 'n' roll classics and feature several guest artists.
Winter produced three Grammy Award-winning albums by Muddy Waters, Hard Again (1977), I'm Ready (1978), and Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979). Several Winter albums were also nominated for Grammy Awards. In 1980, Winter was on the cover of the first issue of Guitar World and in 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
Gangster of Love
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Billy the Kid and all the rest
Supposed to be some bad cats
Way out in the West
But if they could've dug me and my gangster ways
They would have hung up their guns, child and made it to their graves
Tell me you know, tell me you know
A gangster of love
When I walk in a bar
Girls come from near and far
Say "he's a gangster of love"
Jumped on my white horse
Rode across the border line
Roped 55 girls
Kissed them all the same time
Take 25 or 30, load 'em all on a freight
There's a million dollar reward for me in each and every state
'Cause I'm a gangster of love (gangster of love)
Tell me you know, tell me you know
A gangster of love
When I walk in a bar
Girls come from near and far
Say "he's a gangster of love"
Yeah!
Jumped on my white horse
Rode across the border line
Roped 55 girls
Kissed them all the same time
The sheriff said "Is your name Johnny Winter?" in a very deep voice
I said "Yes sir Mr. Sheriff, and that's your wife on the back of my horse
'Cause I'm a gangster of love (gangster of love)
Tell me you know, tell me you know
A gangster of love
When I walk in a bar
Girls come from near and far
Say "he's a gangster of love"
Johnny Winter's "Gangster of Love" tells a tale of a notorious outlaw with undeniable charm and prowess who is irresistible to women. The song's lyrics reference several famous Wild West outlaws, such as Jesse James, Frank James, and Billy the Kid, who are known for their criminal exploits in the 19th century. Winter claims that if these old-time gangsters could have seen him and his gangster ways, they would have been intimidated by his influence and fame.
Winter then goes on to describe his own gangster exploits, which include rounding up over 50 women and kissing them simultaneously. He is so confident in his power over women that when the sheriff confronts him, he brags about riding off with the sheriff’s wife. The song is a fun and lighthearted depiction of a fictional outlaw who is both charming and dangerous.
While the lyrics of "Gangster of Love" are purely fictional and meant for entertainment, it is interesting to note that Johnny Winter was a creative genius who incorporated elements of various genres, such as blues, rock and roll, and jazz in his music. Winter was known for his fiery guitar playing and unique voice, which made him a revered figure in the music industry. The song "Gangster of Love" is one of many examples of Winter's creative prowess.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesse James and Frank James
These famous outlaws were known for wreaking havoc in the western frontier.
Billy the Kid and all the rest
There were many notorious lawbreakers, but these were some of the most infamous.
Supposed to be some bad cats
These outlaws had a reputation for being tough and fearless.
Way out in the West
They were famous for their daring exploits in the wild frontier.
But if they could've dug me and my gangster ways
If they could have understood my charisma and charm, they would have given up their criminal ways.
They would have hung up their guns, child and made it to their graves
They would have retired from a life of crime and been remembered as legendary figures.
'Cause I'm a gangster of love (gangster of love)
I have a way of charming women that is irresistible.
Tell me you know, tell me you know
Confirm that you understand and agree with me.
A gangster of love
Someone with a powerfully enticing personality.
When I walk in a bar
I have a strong presence and command attention when I enter a room full of women.
Girls come from near and far
Women are so attracted to me that they will travel long distances just to see me.
Say 'he's a gangster of love'
They acknowledge my irresistible charm and charisma.
Jumped on my white horse
I rode away with a powerful aura, as if I were a legendary figure.
Rode across the border line
I traveled far and wide, leaving an impression wherever I went.
Roped 55 girls
I have the power to attract many women to me at once.
Kissed them all the same time
I am so charismatic that I can make many women feel special all at once.
Take 25 or 30, load 'em all on a freight
I have so many women who want me that I can take a bunch of them with me wherever I go.
There's a million dollar reward for me in each and every state
People are willing to pay a fortune just to be in my presence.
The sheriff said 'Is your name Johnny Winter?' in a very deep voice
The law knows my name because I am so legendary and charismatic.
I said 'Yes sir Mr. Sheriff, and that's your wife on the back of my horse
I am so attractive that even the sheriff's wife is drawn to me.
'Cause I'm a gangster of love (gangster of love)
I am irresistible and powerful when it comes to love and attraction.
Tell me you know, tell me you know
Confirm that you understand and agree with me.
A gangster of love
Someone with a powerfully enticing personality.
When I walk in a bar
I have a strong presence and command attention when I enter a room full of women.
Girls come from near and far
Women are so attracted to me that they will travel long distances just to see me.
Say 'he's a gangster of love'
They acknowledge my irresistible charm and charisma.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DH Ketterling Consulting Videos
This was always my favorite version of this song. With the possible exception of Steve Miller's Gangster is Back from the Rock Love album.
Moses Johnson
I USED TO LISTEN TO THIS ON A BLUE 8 TRACK TAPE CALLED,
"THE JOHNNY WINTER STORY" & LOVED EVERY TRACK ON IT!
Richard Givens
I love it! RIP Johnny.
Dan Frechette
Better than the original. The arrangement and tempo/vibe supports the "Gangster Of Love" image.
brotherman10
Hillarious!!!
Tom Lehr
What year is this album
Mr. Black
This a solid version. Funky cool rhythm. Johnny's vocals are clear and bright. I Dig It Man!
Photo Not Available
It ain't Steve Miller either.
Paul Petraitis
Guitar sounds like Otis Rush...!!
rambam jussi
That's rite Paul! My fav JW solo ever!