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.
Jumpin' Jack Flash
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I howled at my ma, at the driving rain, ooh yeah
But it's alright, oh, that is a gas
I said, it's all right
Jumpin' Jack Flash is a g-g-gas, oh yeah
I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag, yeah
But it's alright, and that is a gas
I said, it's all right
Jumpin' Jack Flash is a g-g-gas
I was drowned, washed up and left for dead, yes, sure was
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled, ooh
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread, yes, I did
I was crowned with a spike right in through my head, oh yeah
But it's all, it's alright, oh, and that is a gas
I said, it's all, alright
Jumpin' Jack Flash is a gas, yes, it is
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Jump, jump, jump)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Jump, jump, jump)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Jump, will you jump?)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Oh, [Incomprehensible] me)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Real gas)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Girl, yes I was)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(I was schooled with a strap right across my back)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Oh, yeah)
(I frowned at a crust of bread, yeah)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
(I was crowned with a spike runnin' through my head, yeah)
Hallelujah
The lyrics to Johnny Winter's song Jumpin' Jack Flash allude to a tough and tumultuous life. The first line, "I was born in a crossfire hurricane," can be interpreted in two ways. One interpretation could be a reference to a difficult upbringing, while the other interpretation could be referencing the Rolling Stones' song "Jumpin' Jack Flash," which begins with the same line. The following lines, "And I howled at my ma, at the driving rain," express frustration and anger, further painting a picture of a trying upbringing.
The chorus, "But it's alright, oh, that is a gas. I said, it's all right. Jumpin' Jack Flash is a g-g-gas, oh yeah," offers a different perspective. There is a sense of empowerment and a refusal to be beaten down. Even in tough times, the singer finds comfort in the music of "Jumpin' Jack Flash." The second verse continues with descriptions of a challenging upbringing, but again, there is a sense of resilience in the chorus.
The final verse takes a darker turn. The lines, "I was drowned, washed up and left for dead, yes, sure was. I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled, ooh," along with the later line "I was crowned with a spike right in through my head," suggest violence and suffering. However, even in the face of such brutality, the singer refuses to give up. The final chorus, with its repeated refrains of "Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas," emphasizes the power of music to help us overcome our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in a crossfire hurricane, well
I was born during a time of intense turmoil and unrest.
And I howled at my ma, at the driving rain, ooh yeah
As a baby, I cried out in distress to my mother during a fierce rainstorm.
But it's alright, oh, that is a gas
Despite the difficulties I faced, everything is now okay and even enjoyable.
I said, it's all right
I confirmed that everything is truly alright.
Jumpin' Jack Flash is a g-g-gas, oh yeah
The excitement and energy of Jumpin' Jack Flash is what makes life thrilling.
I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag, yeah
I grew up under the care of an unattractive and somewhat scary woman.
I was schooled with a strap right across my back, oh, yes, I was
In school, I was disciplined with corporal punishment by being hit on the back with a strap.
I was drowned, washed up and left for dead, yes, sure was
There was a time when I nearly lost my life by drowning, but I managed to survive.
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled, ooh
After my near-death experience, I discovered that my feet were injured and bleeding.
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread, yes, I did
I was so desperate for food that I was displeased with even the smallest amount of bread.
I was crowned with a spike right in through my head, oh yeah
At some point, I experienced severe physical trauma where a sharp object pierced my head.
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Again, Jumpin' Jack Flash represents the excitement and enjoyment found in life.
(Jump, jump, jump)
An encouragement to jump and dance to the music.
Hallelujah
A religious exclamation of praise and thankfulness.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Moose6340
There's something about the speed, power, and rawness of live performances like this that's missing today. This is freaking amazing.
@duncanbrown4400
plus his accuracy
@ldbagwell
True that and Amen brother
@SuperJamesBridge
It's not missing today. You're just watching the wrong bands. Sure there is loads of over produced pop crap pushed by big music publishing. But there are loads of amazing bands too.
@mrrock6248
Talent and platform shoes are also sadly missing today!!!
@revo1337
try smaller pubs and clubs with live music
@noblesiner
Im always amazed at how Johnny could keep the rhythm while doing lead fill ins and singing all simultaneously. Not many guitarist can do that.
@elifazizi5566
Johnny Winter is awesome ,, but damn his rhythm section is killer. Those dudes Rock!
Johnny Winter, Floyd Radford (guitar), Randy Hobbs (bass), Richard Hughes (drums)
Here's to you, Johnny! You'll never be forgotten. Thanks for the legacy, man!
@bjgrant1234
not Randy Hobbs on bass..Jon Paris..check it..
@margovallen
@Brian Grant Randy Jo Hobbs on bass. Not Jon Paris. Paris was with Johnny Winter from 1978-1989. Hobbs was with Winter from 1970-1976.