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.
Johnny B. Goode
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell
Go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Johnny B. Goode
He use to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Sit beneath the trees by the railroad track
Oh, sit beneath the trees, linger in the shade
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by, they would stop and say
"Oh my, but that country boy can play!"
Go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go Johnny go, go!
Now, Johnny B. Goode
Oh, come on Johnny, do it!
Oh, look out!
His mother told him someday he would be a man
And he would be the leader of a rock'n'roll band
Oh, many people coming from miles around
Hear him play his guitar when the sun go down
Maybe someday your name would be in lights
Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight!"
Go, go!
Go Johnny go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go Johnny go, go, go!
Go, go, Johnny B. Goode!
The lyrics of Johnny Winter's song "Johnny B. Goode" tell the story of a young country boy from Louisiana named Johnny B. Goode, who lives in a log cabin in the woods and is a talented guitar player despite not being able to read or write very well. He spends his time playing his guitar by the railroad tracks, where people passing by can hear him play and stop to watch. His mother has told him that he will one day become a leader of a rock'n'roll band, and people will come from miles around to hear him play.
The song is a classic example of rock'n'roll storytelling, with its catchy melody and upbeat rhythm. It celebrates the power of music to bring people together, inspire hope, and change lives. It also speaks to the universal human desire to achieve greatness and leave a lasting legacy.
Overall, the lyrics of "Johnny B. Goode" are about the pursuit of a dream and the unwavering determination to succeed despite obstacles. By portraying Johnny as a talented and ambitious young musician, the song celebrates the human spirit and the power of music to inspire and uplift.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
The story takes place in Louisiana, near New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
It was a secluded area, surrounded by trees and natural beauty.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
The house that Johnny lived in was a small, rustic cabin made of natural materials.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny was the name of the main character, a boy from the country.
He never ever learned to read or write so well
Although he struggled with reading and writing, he had a natural talent for playing the guitar.
But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell
His guitar playing was so good, it sounded like the ringing of a bell.
Go, go! Go Johnny go, go, go! Go Johnny go, go, go! Go Johnny go, go, go! Go Johnny go, go, go! Johnny B. Goode
This is an encouraging chorus, telling Johnny to keep playing and praising him for his skills.
He use to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny would carry his guitar in a burlap sack.
Sit beneath the trees by the railroad track
He enjoyed playing and relaxing under trees, often by the railroad tracks.
Oh, sit beneath the trees, linger in the shade
Johnny would take his time, enjoying the peacefulness and shade of the trees.
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
He played his guitar in time with the rhythm and sounds of the passing trains.
People passing by, they would stop and say 'Oh my, but that country boy can play!'
People who passed by would be amazed and stop to listen to Johnny play.
Now, Johnny B. Goode
The chorus repeats, emphasizing Johnny's skill and encouraging him to continue.
Oh, come on Johnny, do it!
This is a playful and encouraging cheer, encouraging Johnny to keep playing and show off his talent.
Oh, look out!
This is an exclamation of excitement and anticipation for Johnny's next move on the guitar.
His mother told him someday he would be a man
Johnny's mother encouraged him, telling him he would grow up and become a man someday.
And he would be the leader of a rock'n'roll band
She believed that Johnny would become a successful musician and lead a rock and roll band.
Oh, many people coming from miles around
As Johnny's fame grew, more and more people came from far away to listen to him play.
Hear him play his guitar when the sun go down
People would listen to Johnny play his guitar as the sun went down, enjoying the peaceful twilight atmosphere.
Maybe someday your name would be in lights
This line foreshadows Johnny's potential success and fame, suggesting that his name could one day be displayed in lights like a famous performer.
Saying 'Johnny B. Goode tonight!'
This would be the ultimate acknowledgement of Johnny's talent and success, with people cheering for him and identifying him as the main attraction of the night.
Go, go! Go Johnny go, go! Go Johnny go, go, go! Go Johnny go, go, go! Go Johnny go, go, go! Go, go, Johnny B. Goode!
The song ends with a final encouragement for Johnny to keep playing and impressing his fans.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lizlocher3612
Johnny Winter is the quintessential iconic rock hero!!! I have been enchanted with him since the early 1970's when I was 13 years old!!! To this day no one has achieved a higher place in my heart!!! Love 💖 everything about him, voice, guitar style, appearance, his Southern Delta Blues style mixed with his own heavy rock guitar style!!! He has always been n always will be my idol!!!
@Mike-ve8gt
Lucky enough to catch many shows in the 70s, I believe this was a standard encore song, we loved it!
@MaunoAumanen-zk3jh
Reaal Rock stuff😊😊
@johnkirk8852
Accidentally saw Johnny in a bar in Suffern, N.Y. back in the 80's. God must have brought me there.. I was already a fan. It was Awesome! He was just great!.. I feel lucky..
@Mike-ve8gt
Sometimes it just works that way, I had beat a bad rap in Wisconsin and saw the signs to a Grateful Dead Show, my mom was with me and I convinced her to go, so mom and I saw the dead by chance in 1989. It was Alpine Valley 7/17 or 7/18 - I'd be more precice but some kind kids shared their candy ;)
@josephsellers3844
Johnny Winter is an underrated guitarist. He has played with many of the best
@davide4655
È proprio così
@josephsellers3844
When I was a teenager Free Ride & Frakenstien were big hits. I bought the album when it came out. Great memories. I miss those days.
@guyh.4121
@@josephsellers3844 ..Free Ride and Frankenstein was Edgar Winter
@guyh.4121
The God of Guitar Gods was never underrated.