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.
Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was a warm spring night in the ol' town hall
There was a group called The Jokers, they were layin' it down
Don't ya know I'm never gonna lose that funky sound
Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
Lawdy mama light my fuse
Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
The skeeters start buzzing 'bout this time o' year
I'm goin' round back, she said she'd meet me there
We were rollin' in the grass that grows behind the barn
When my ears started ringin' like a fire alarm
Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
Lawdy mama light my fuse
Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
Truck on out and spread the news
Hope y'all know what I'm talkin' about
The way they wiggle that thing, it really knocks me out
I'm gettin' high all the time, hope ya'll are too
Well come-on a little closer, gonna do it to you
Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
Lawdy mama light my fuse
Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
Truck on out and spread the news
That I'm tired of payin' dues
Done said goodbye to all my blues
Lawdy mama light my fuse
The lyrics of "Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo" by Johnny Winter reflect the joy and energy that rock and roll music can inspire in its listeners. The singer begins by describing how he couldn't stop moving when he first heard the music, and how it became a permanent part of his life. The setting is a warm spring night in a town hall, where a band called The Jokers is playing. The singer is completely won over by their "funky sound" and knows he will never lose it. The chorus, with its catchy repetition of "Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo" and "Lawdy mama light my fuse," captures the excitement and sexual energy of the music.
The second verse continues the theme of youthful abandon and sexual adventure. The singer has arranged to meet a girl behind the barn, where they roll around in the grass. But their tryst is interrupted by the sudden onset of ringing in his ears "like a fire alarm." This is a clever metaphor for the overwhelming impact of rock music on the senses. The third verse is an exhortation to others to join in on the fun, to stop worrying about paying dues, and to let loose and enjoy the pleasures of rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
I couldn't stop moving when it first took hold
I was so overcome by the music that I couldn't help but dance and move to the rhythm as soon as I heard it.
It was a warm spring night in the ol' town hall
The atmosphere was perfect for listening to music and dancing, with the pleasant weather and the gathering of people at the town hall.
There was a group called The Jokers, they were layin' it down
The Jokers were a talented and skilled musical group, and they were putting on an incredible performance.
Don'tcha know I'm never gonna lose that funky sound
I am so taken with this unique and exciting style of music that I know I will always be a fan and never lose my love for it.
The skeeters start buzzing 'bout this time o' year
With the arrival of spring, mosquitoes and other pests become more active and noticeable.
I'm goin' round back, she said she'd meet me there
I made plans to meet someone behind the building, possibly for romantic or private reasons.
We were rollin' in the grass that grows behind the barn
We were enjoying each other's company and possibly being intimate while lying in the grassy area behind the barn.
When my ears started ringin' like a fire alarm
The loud and exciting music had such an impact on me that my ears began to ring loudly, almost like a warning signal.
Hope ya'll know what I'm talkin' about
I hope that my fellow music lovers can relate to the passion and excitement that I feel about this music.
The way they wiggle that thing, it really knocks me out
The performers have incredible charisma and energy, especially when they move their bodies in a sensual way, which really impresses me.
I'm gettin' high all the time, hope ya'll are too
This music makes me feel so euphoric and happy that it's almost like being high on a drug, and I hope everyone else is enjoying it just as much as I am.
Well come-on a little closer, gonna do it to you
I want everyone to experience the same joy and passion that I feel, and I encourage them to get closer and immerse themselves in the music.
That I'm tired of payin' dues
I have put in a lot of work and effort to get to this point, but now I am finally enjoying the rewards and the fruits of my labor.
Done said goodbye to all my blues
I have overcome my past struggles and challenges, and now I am free to live my life to the fullest and focus on the things that bring me joy and happiness.
Lawdy mama light my fuse
I am so excited and inspired by the music that it's as if someone has lit a fuse inside of me, causing a powerful explosion of energy and emotion.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Rick Derringer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
billsav57
I've said this elsewhere: I know this is Rick's song, and I've seen him do it live, and it's great. But there's just something about the raw power when Johnny does it live.
Fongolitus
Rick wrote it for Johnny when it was 'Johnny Winter And' basically Johnny was fronting the McCoys
Mr25thfret
Yeah man, Johnny's voice rocked any song to the max.
Rick Barker
Raw power for sure....pure kinetic energy...took every song to another level
@AngryInBrooklyn
and that BASS PLAYER!
Charles Perry
@Donny Sarian thanks for telling me that and also with with the Bobby Caldwell
STEWART GAVIN
If you grew up during the '70's and never saw a Johnny Winter concert. You never saw rock n roll.🎩🎸
Billy Shane
Johnny Winter was sheer dynamite. Brilliant musician and one hell of a great guy.
John Dawson Winter III RIP
Foldisfitch
His whole thing put together (looks, movement, guitar playing, voice etc.) … the phenomena of Johnny Winters was totally freaking uniquely awesome!
Roger Wolfe
Dude it is freaky I mean he doesn’t open his eyes ! Fantastic huh no doubt 😊